The History of TerrorismThe History of TerrorismUS History – Mr. Tyna

I. What is Terrorism?I. What is Terrorism?

An asymmetric form of conflict US Dept of State: “Terrorism is premeditated,

politically motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience.”

Terrorism is a criminal act that influences an audience beyond the immediate victim– Their strategy: to commit acts of violence that

draws the attention of the local populace, the govt., & the world to their cause.

II. Early History of TerrorismII. Early History of Terrorism

The Sicarii & the Zealots– Jewish groups active during Roman occupation

– Sicarii (dagger men)

– Zealots (a fanatical partisan)

– An underground campaign of assassination of Roman occupation forces and Jews who collaborated w/ them

– Killing usually took place in daylight and w/ witnesses to send a message to Roman authorities

• The Assassins- 11th century offshoot of a Shia Muslim sect known as the Ismailis- Stabbed politicians and clerics who refused to adopt their form of Islam- Assassin means “Hashish-eater” – rumored to have indulged in drugs prior to their killings

• The Thugees-Indian religious cult- Strangled victims (usually random travelers) as an offering to the Hindu goddess of terror and destruction, Kali

The French Revolution The French Revolution

The Reign of Terror– First use of the term “Terror” and “Terrorists”

– Maximilien Robespierre and the Committee for Public Safety publicly executed over 40,000 people by guillotine

“without virtue, terror is destructive; without terror, virtue is impotent. Terror is only justice prompt, severe and inflexible”

– M. Robespierre

The Actual Word Terrorism

The word Terrorism was first used by Edmund Burke in response to the frenzied French

Revolutionaries

Over 40,000 people were executed in the “Reign of Terror”.

‘Regime de la terreur”

In the latter half of the 19th century, terrorism was adopted by adherents of anarchism in Western Europe, Russia, and the United States. They believed that the best way to effect revolutionary political and social change was to assassinate persons in positions of power.

Modern terrorism in the U.S.

After the American Civil War (1861-65)Defiant Southerners formed a terrorist organization called the KKK to intimidate supporters of Reconstruction.

WWI (July 1916)New York harbor "erupted in one of the greatest military explosions to date.” German saboteurs has set off fire bombs on Black Tom Island.

Wall Street bombing (1920)

At noon a horse drawn wagon was pulled up in front of the financial center of the nation and 100 pounds of dynamite was exploded, killing 30 and injuring 300. Anarchists were suspected.

Capitol Hill shooting (1954)

Four Puerto Rican nationalists fired 30 rounds from the House visitors' gallery, wounding five lawmakers on the House floor.

Modern terrorism in the U.S.

Capitol Hill bombing (1983)

Radical students protesting U.S. military intervention on the Caribbean island of Grenada, exploded a bomb in our nation’s capitol. The blast damaged a conference room near the Senate chamber. No one was hurt or injured.

World Trade Center bombing (1993)

A car bomb was planted by Islamic terrorists in the underground garage below tower one. Unsuccessful.

Modern terrorism in the U.S.

Oklahoma City bombing (1995)

A U.S. govt. office in Oklahoma City was destroyed by a van bomb, killing 168 people, and injuring 800. Timothy McVeigh a militant ex-veteran was found responsible, along with Terry Nichols.

9/11A series of coordinated attacks were launched against political and economic buildings of importance. Total casualties reached close to 3,000. Al-Queda and Osama bin Laden were linked to the attacks.

Modern terrorism in the U.S.