Terrorism Background Global Issues

Waves of Terror – David C. Rapoport Wave 1: Anarchists – 1880’s – 1920’s Wave 2: Anti-Colonial – 1920’s – 1960’s Wave 3: New Left Wing – 1960’s – 1990’s Wave 4: Religious Terrorism – Present Day

First Wave: Anarchists Time Period: 1880’s – 1920’s

Anarchism A Russian, Mikhail Bakunin (1814-76) advocated violence to overthrow the established order. Armed with bombs and guns, anarchists chose their targets to get the most publicity and to create as much instability as possible. “The passion for destruction is also a creative passion” (Mikhail Bakunin)

Notable Assassinations Russia’s Tsar Alexander II was killed by a bomb thrown into his carriage in 1881. U.S. President William McKinley was shot and killed by an anarchist in 1901.

Result The revolution that the anarchists intended to provoke through their violence never came. Their “passion for destruction” created nothing but popular panic and publicity.

Second Wave: Anti-Colonial Time Period: 1920’s – 1960’s National Independence Movements

National Independence Movements World-wide struggle Independence from colonial powers Ireland, Kenya, Algeria, Israel Colonial powers called them terrorists Others saw them as freedom fighters

National Independence Movements Attacked colonial occupying powers (Police) Colonial powers often sent in the Military to re-establish order with force Military often committed atrocities (Amritsar, India 1919) Social support / sympathy for terrorists increased Terrorists disbanded with independence / sovereignty

Third Wave: New Left Wing Time Period: 1960’s – 1990’s

New Left Wing The Vietnam War (mid 1950s to 1975) – lightly armed North Vietnamese soldiers created havoc against overwhelming military superiority of the United States.

New Left Wing Suddenly, tiny communist underground groups in Europe and North America realized that the heartland of capitalism was vulnerable. Most were shut down through effective police work. Examples: Direct Action – France Red Army Faction – Germany Red Brigade – Italy Shining Path – Peru

Fourth Wave: Religious Wave Time Period: Present Day

Religious Terrorism Was kick-started by two related events; the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran and the collapse of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1989. Religion rather than political ideology is its focus.

Modern Religious Terrorism Has generally been more violent and deadlier than the political and nationalist terrorism that came before. Religious terrorists are acting in the name of God (Allah) and may believe that God wants them to kill “unbelievers”. Violent terrorist acts are viewed as evidence of devotion (piety) and self-sacrifice (eg. Suicide bombing) is praised as a way to get to paradise.