What is terrorism? Who are Terrorists? Take thirty seconds and discuss it with a partner and be prepared to share.

Terrorism Pronounced: / ˈ ter ɚˌɪ zəm/ Function: noun Meaning: [noncount] : the use of violent acts to frighten the people in an area as a way of trying to achieve a political goal ▪ They have been arrested for acts of terrorism. ▪ international terrorism ▪ the fight/struggle/war against terrorism ▪ state terrorism [=terrorism by a government]

One man’s Terrorist is another man’s hero

Early “Terrorist” Jewish (Zealots) groups active during the Roman occupation of the first century Middle East. The favored weapon of the Sicari was the sica (the short dagger which gave them their name, which literally means ‘dagger men’), which they used these to murder those (mainly Jews) they deemed apostate and thus selected for execution.

The English word ‘terrorism’ comes from the regime de la terreur that prevailed in France from Originally an instrument of the state, the regime was designed to consolidate the power of the newly-installed revolutionary government, protecting it from elements considered ‘subversive.’ Always value-laden, terrorism was, initially, a positive term. The French revolutionary leader, Maximilien Robespierre, viewed it as vital if the new French Republic was to survive its infancy, proclaiming in 1794 that: “Terror is nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible; it is therefore an emanation of virtue; it is not so much a special principle as it is a consequence of the general principle of democracy applied to our country's most urgent needs.”

Long before the outbreak of Word War I in Europe in 1914, what would later be termed state- sponsored terrorism had already started to manifest itself. For instance, many officials in the Serbian government and military were involved (albeit unofficially) in supporting, training and arming the various Balkan groups (Black Hand) which were active prior to the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo. He was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip.

Irish Brotherhood would fight the for independence from British rule until the 1920’s when Ireland would become a Republic.

Irish Republican Army (Catholic) in recent years have conducted assassinations, bombings, and other violent acts to gain political independence/ power for Northern Ireland, which still politically belongs to the United Kingdom Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein the political wing of the Irish Republican Army

Modern Islamic Terrorists is a widely used, although disputed, term for acts of terrorism committed by Muslims for the purpose of achieving varying political ends. For example, Osama bin Laden's stated goal of ending American military presence in the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula, overthrowing Arab regimes he considers corrupt and insufficiently religious, ending American support for Israel, and returning East Timor and Kashmir to rule by Muslims.

Ku Klux Klan far-right terror organization in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism anti-Jewish and Catholic, and anti- immigration historically expressed through Christian terrorism and a fervent anti-communist stance. The current manifestation is splintered into several chapters and is widely considered to be a hate group.

What is terrorism? Who are Terrorists? One man’s Terrorist is another man’s hero