Landmines are small explosive devices used to repel attacking armies. During World War I, the use of landmines became quite prevalent, and the devices have been used in many subsequent conflicts. At this time, many countries have banned the use of landmines, although the United States, Russia, China, and North Korea have not passed any bans on the weapon. The efforts to ban this weapon stem from the fact that the victims of landmine use are more often civilians rather than soldiers. In this image, a soldier in the U.S. Navy is deactivating an anti-personnel landmine near Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Investigate the source using the zoom and navigational tools in the Flash player and then answer the questions below.

1			Describe the role of a land mine in warfare. What environmental effects did land mines have on an area? What problems have been associated with land mines and civilian populations?
2			When did the campaigns against land mine usage begin? Why were people concerned about land mines still hidden, years after wars had ended?
3			The soldier in this picture is de-mining in Cuba. Why would land mines have been used in Cuba? Why is the United States military involved with the removal of land mines in Cuba?