TA-HISTORY: History of Terrorism

As we discuss the topic of Terrorism it is important to understand the definition of the word and actions that define it.It is also important to know that terrorism in some form has always existed.

"The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons."

"Terrorism, the deliberate creation and exploitation of fear for bringing about political change. All terrorist acts involve violence or�equally important�the threat of violence. These violent acts are committed by nongovernmental groups or individuals�that is, by those who are neither part of nor officially serving in the military forces, law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, or other governmental agencies of an established nation-state. "

"The unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives"

"The British Terrorism Act of 2000 defines terrorism so as to include not only attacks on military personnel, but also acts not usually considered violent, such as shutting down a website whose views one dislikes."

"The calculated use of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or intimidate governments or societies in pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological."

Although the definitions are clear in their meanings, a case-by-case interpretation is still necessary to determine where extremism ends and terrorism begins. Terrorism itself is broken down into domestic terrorism and international terrorism. We have always known both. There is no universally accepted definition of terrorism. One 2003 study by the U.S. Army stated that over 100 definitions have been counted.

The Greeks and Roman wrote about it, the Spanish Inquistion used it, the French Revolution was based on it.

Even the United States itself was created with means of terrorism as our fore-fathers rebelled against the British. In George Washington's presidency, terrorism was committed by Pirates. 115 years ago Chicago�s Haymarket Square was bombed. There were also individual killers/anarchists who assassinated political leaders of Russia, Austria, Italy, France and the President of the United States, William McKinley, all between 1881 and 1901. We have seen bombings on Wall Street in the 1920's, New York City was terrorized again between 1951 thru 1956, and again in the 1970's. In the 80's La Gaurdia airport and Congress were targets and Embassies in Africa, the U.S.S. Cole, 1st bombing of the World Trade Center, and Oklahoma City in the 1990's. World-wide there are even more examples of terrorism such as the Munich Olympic Massacre, PanAm Flight 103 in Lockerbie, Scotland, and various suicide bombings in Chechyna, Israel, and Iraq. Every country has had to deal with terrorism in one form or another. There has always been and there will always be a terrorist or group to blame, some homegrown and other's international.

Sources and more on Terrorism
How Did the United States Defeat the Barbary Pirates?
How Did the United States Respond in the Past to Bombings by Terrorists?
How Many Times Has the United States Been Bombed?
Terrorism
The Dictionary
Encarta Encyclopedia

[Edited on 14-3-2004 by SkepticOverlord]


[Edited on 3-14-2004 by worldwatcher]