Fritz Haber was a chemist who won the Nobel Prize for the development of ammonia for use in fertilizer, thus feeding countless people over the last century. But he also was responsible for the invention of chemical weapons.
He was also one of the leading figures in developing Zyklon B as a pesticide. Sad and ironic at the same time since he was a jew, and his creation later became the most common method of murder during the holocaust
@@alexg3911 Except he was dead when the nazis began using his research for Zyklon B. Guy was rolling in his grave and he wanted to prove that german Jews were as patriotic, he didn’t know of what would come in ww2.
I wouldn't say that this is common knowledge. I personally didn't know who Fritz Haber was before this song, but now I know, thanks to Sabaton. Before WW1, he, together with Carl Bosch created the Haber-Bosch process, which was the process to create ammonia, mainly to be used for artificial fertilizers. He's basically the reason why there are as many people on earth right now, as there are. Because of his invention he created the ability for there to be even more food than ever. Edit: The Haber-Bosch process is still used to this day. During WW1 the Haber-Bosch process also lead to a very easy gunpowder production. Before that, Germany would import Ingrediens to produce gunpowder, but those shipments were cut off due to the sea blockade by the allies. He was celebrated as a hero, because "he could create gunpowder from thin air". But his most famous inventions were things as Chlorine gas, Mustard gas and other toxic gasses. That's the whole "Sinner or a saint" debate in the song. His inventions lead to the ability for billions of people to exist, but his other inventions lead to hundreds of thousands of brutal and cruel deaths and millions of men who were scarred for life.
Technically if you want to make the argument he is also partially responsible for the holocaust to as the scientific institute he directed during WW1 was not only responsible for weaponizing so many chemicals but also the creation of cheap hydrogen cyanide or as they patented it "Zyklon A" and with a later addition of some stabilizing agents "Zyklon B"
He was also friends with Einstein, who objected to his use of chemical weapons, saying they should stay neutral, but Haber was determined to participate.
The bridge right after the solo (“Where will this lead?…”) is referring to Haber’s later invention, Zyklon A, a pesticide. During WWII, this was developed without his permission into Zyklon B, which was used in the Nazi prison camps as a method of extermination.
The thing is that Fritz Haber while a senior scientist during the WWI was of Jewish decent (although he had converted to Christianity) and so was seriously persecuted by the Nazis in his later life. So whether good/evil, the country he so loved ended up hating him for his race. The other tragic irony was that he had developed a pesticide called Zyblon-B - this was the gas that was used in Auschwitz that killed so many of his fellow Jewish people.
he basically is the savior of billions of people due to his work as a chemist leading to more effective ways to grow food and come up with much more effect harvest methods, but he also came up with horrendous and nightmarish toxic gases such as chlorine and mustard gas. he is directly responsible for the event known as "the attack of the Deadmen" (another event that Sabaton made a song about). if it weren't for his genious that led to it's invention, they likely wouldn't have been able to clear out the fortress nearly as effectively as they did. it turned grass black, killed birds mid-flight, and anyone who didn't have protection would soon be coughing up their own lungs, flesh would begin to fall off of their bodies, their insides would begin to liquify etc. it was because of this horrifying effect that the 100 surviving Russian soldiers were called the "Dead men". they looked as though they rose from the dead to kill once again. they struck so much fear into the German soldiers that they made all 7000 immediately retreat the moment they saw them. so ya, he was an incredibly controversial figure. on one side he was a savior that the world owes a great debt to but on the side he was a horrifying monster.
the best thing about sabaton is not about knowing what the song is about before listening to it, but learning about the subject after you hear the song.
That’s how I felt. I’ve been getting flack from some because I didn’t know the history before hand. I’m just trying to enjoy some great music and learn. Thanks!
@@dadwhatsfordinner I feel that this is the way Sabaton presents history gives you a sliver of the back story then you read more about it. My experience was I discovered Sabaton last year and thought they were a brand new cover band, lol. I've never been happier to be wrong in my life.
@@dadwhatsfordinner I prefer this approach by reactors. The music hits harder when it's kind of a shock. I must admit i facepalm a bit when i see others start their videos by reading us the backstory on google before pressing play..."
Sabaton army always reports for duty! The fandom is infamous for loving reactions of others so we can basically go, "ONE OF US. ONE OF US." My personal favorite song is Nightwitches. You should watch their animated story video on it. Their song Bismarck is another song that comes with that big Sabaton sound and impeccably high production. For "Father", I love how unsettling and ominous this song is, perfect for spooky season. The song itself just seems to flow out and creep like the poison gas Haber invented. And Joakim is just going very dark with his voice. He usually doesn't go this dark and looming in his vocals. His booming baritone is usually not nearly so creepy.
Night witches reaction will be up soon. I really appreciate the love from the sabaton Army. I'm learning so much and getting a chance to hear about some great music I otherwise would've been blind too. Thanks!
‘Haber-bosch’ is the later name of the harber process which made ammonia at an optimal rate by fritz harber who later went on to make chlorine gas, but the Bosch part is because another chemist by the name of Bosch improved the process by changing the osmium catalyst for an iron catalyst creating the harber-bosch process
Yes, most of their songs are about Military History. This is the one new song on the recently released EP ,Weapons of the Modern Age. The Sabaton History episode for this song came out at the same time. Fritz Haber invented toxic gas (weaponizing chlorine and other gasses in WWI),and a process to synthesize ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen for fertilizer to grow more crops. Bismarck is a good song, worth checking out. Just left a comment on your Christmas Truce video. If you haven't seen it yet, part of it said that the drummer is Hannes Van Dahl and his wife, Floor Jansen ,sang the ending credit female vocal. She is lead singer of a symphonic metal band called Nightwish. If you want to check them out , try Ghost Love Score(live from Wacken 2013)
As an German, who is born 1969, can assure you, in the 70`s and 80`s they still pushed into us at School, how evil all our Ancestors were. So, i know who Fritz H. was before hearing this one lately. And its not an worldwide common Knowledge, be assured. I am really happy, that you look on both Sides and how you apreciate the Music. in my Opinion not one of their biggest Bangers, but an sollied Song. Stay Healthy, try Nightwish:) NWA Bavaria North
You cannot be held responsible for what a minority of your ancestors did. It was only the minority in charge and the Nazis that committed war crimes who can be blamed. I am Irish but my grandfather fought in ww1 in the British Army, he was injured in battle and captured as a prisoner of war. He fell in love with a German nurse, after the war she followed him home to Ireland and they got married, so I have a little German blood in me.
This song is about the famous (or infamous) scientist Fritz Haber whose work in chemistry helped solve one of the greatest crisis's facing the world at the time known as the "Malthusian Trap" (the fact that human populations expand at exponential rates while natural resources increase only at arithmetical rates). Through his work, Fritz Haber would become the first person in history to successfully synthesize ammonia (a necessary nutrient needed for growing crops), because of this, he saved millions (perhaps even billions) of people from starvation. However during the first world war, in collaboration with Karl Bosch another famous chemist, Haber would discover a means of weaponizing his synthesized ammonia, and thus the first toxic gas (mustard gas to be precise) to be used in war was created. This would lead to Fritz Haber being regarded as the father of modern chemical warfare.
You gotta do "The final Solution" though, be warned, its.... an uneasy theme. But, imho, the best Song of Sabaton, and the very best history lesson I was ever taught.
The part of the song that asks what's coming next refers to another toxic gas that Fritz Haber created after the war. He intended this gas to be used by farmers to get rid of gophers and other forms of Rodentia that liked to eat crops. He even added a malodorous component so that farmers wouldn't accidentally gas themselves like a LOT of soldiers did in WW1. I have no idea if any farmers used that gas for its intended purpose. However, the Nazis found it to be extremely useful in the concentration camps after removing the malodorous component. Yep, that's right. Fritz also invented Zyklon B. I really hope this poor guy had a friend in Christ...
I learned about Fritz Haber thru the RU-vid channel The Great War several years ago. They cover WWI, and many events before & after it. If you watch Sabaton History, you will see Indy Neidel, who was also on The Great War channel & is now on the WWII channel. As someone else said in the comments said, you have started down a rabbit hole. Enjoy!!!
By the way, girls (if old enoug) may enjoy the "night witches" animated story video and "lady of the dark" not to mention the history behind them and how young women defying all ods prevail and even excell. Lady of the dark is kind of similar story to Mulan, Sister taking the place of her brother in the frontline ending up a decorated hero in a elite unit...
Great reaction you pretty much nailed it. I recommend “Night Witches” and “No Bullets Fly” the Yarnhub editions great story’s and they are animated really helps tell the story 🔥👍
Hey just found your channel, long time Sabaton fan and your reactions mirror mine when I first found them! Everyone in my house are now Sabaton fans, myself, my wife, even my kids, to the point that my son and I are learning Swedish so that we can fully understand their songs that they have both in English and Swedish. A few other epic songs of theirs (which there are a ton)GT}: Race to the sea - The story for this song is about the Belgian fighting retreat to the Yser river in World War I Sparta - About the Spartans at the battle of Thermopylae The Red Baron - About the first flying Ace of World War I Manfred von Richthofen Steel Commanders - About the evolution of tank warfare Resist and Bite - Another song of Belgian bravery, this time about a small force of the Belgian army that held back the Germans for several weeks in the mountains in World War II. The list could go on and on. Also, noticed your certifications on the wall, greetings from another IT professional! (IT Ops - Telemetry and logging here)
Thanks for watching and the suggestions. I’m not sure I’ll be able to turn my wife and kids into sabaton. They are pretty much only into pop music. But hey at least I got something cool to listen to. Greeting s fellow IT Pro! Welcome to the channel! 😁
Well, it is not so important what you know when you start to listen to their songs and more what you know after. I can't mention any other band that have taught me so much as Sabaton has.
@@dadwhatsfordinner He was just a german, fighting for his country. He just hoped to end the war faster by giving germany a new weapon. Pretty much like the atom bomb used by the US. We know now how bad it was, but back then they didn't.
I’ve heard people complain Sabaton overdoes the anthemic, epic sound, but they ain’t singing about army cooks who peeled potatoes above and beyond the call of duty. I LOVE IT!!
I just found your channel and being a old metalhead here are some suggestions.nightwish ghost love score .hammerfall last man standing and powerwolf my will be done
Whilst I understand why why people would get mad for not knowing but then again i think that it’s just a failure on the US education system as well as the simple need for not teaching anything outside of America so to speak since unlike in Europe where we are very interconnected be it with each other or overseas due to our empires and again there’s not much drive or spark for other wars such as the American civil war, ww2 and Vietnam vs say WW1, the boar war, Russian civil war, the Hundred Years’ War, nepolionic war and so on and considering and this isn’t an insult and just personal observation but you don’t seem to be the most historically minded and there’s no problem with that since history tends to be for a select few, compared to modern politics, sports, how terrible the economy is ect and that again because america for the most parts of its history was isolationists didn’t have too much interactions with the wider world outside of trade and war
Well wouldn’t you? If you were told or had the knowledge to end say the war in Ukraine but at the cost of trillions of lives then would you be willing to create such a device?, ww1 was a war of stalemates where the best anyone could hope for was about a million men for a single mile of land, barbed wire, mine fields, machine gun fire and artillery are killing millions in seconds, and when a war like that has been going on for three years straight, your cities are in round, your economy is nearly nonexistent, it’s either victory or defeat and much like anything we use or have today was in part due to war, planes, medicine, computers, submarines, sonar, the tools that are used to kill a man there are tools to save a man and so what’s the difference between someone getting stabbed by a bayonet vs someone who got stabbed by a knife? And again when your country looks like it’s about to loose then would America really hesitate to unleash both chemical, biological and nuclear weapons to ensure victory?
