What Is COLLATERAL DAMAGE? Meaning & Definition

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What Is COLLATERAL DAMAGE?

In this video, learn the definition and meaning. Here is a transcript of the video:

Slide 2:
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Slide 4:
‘Collateral damage’ refers to unintended civilian casualties or damage to non-military buildings during military action.

Slide 5:
Here’s some background information: The word ‘collateral’ refers to something that is secondary, or subordinate.

Slide 6:
The term ‘collateral damage’ was used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam war (1955-1975) and it was later used regularly during the Gulf War (1991).

Here is a typical example . . .

Slide 7:
The picture shows an elderly man selling beds in Kabul. Behind him we see ‘collateral damage’.

Slide 8:
NOTE: There are some objections to the use of the term when referring to civilian deaths during a military conflict mainly because it desensitizes the harsh reality of the loss of human life.

Slide 9:
The term ‘collateral damage’ is now often used in a general way to refer to secondary damage, to something that was damaged unintentionally.

For example . . .

Slide 10:
The photographer wrote regarding this Eucalyptus tree: “Collateral damage. Its roots damaged the path and the kerb. The contractors repaired the path and the kerb. So the tree got damaged!”

Slide 11:
So remember: in a military context, it refers to civilian deaths or damage to non-military buildings.

In a general sense, it can refer to secondary damage that happens unintentionally.

Slide 12:
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Here is another modern word to check:
The Definition of Virtual

Image Credits:

Slide 5: Creative Commons | No change
Vietnam: https://flic.kr/p/qW5PFn
Gulf War: https://flic.kr/p/9gcMiF

Slide 7: Creative Commons | No change
https://flic.kr/p/96nC7

Slide 10: Creative Commons | No change
https://flic.kr/p/4dzizR

Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode