BA. Overview of History of Terrorism Week 2 Lec 1

The Assassins

Almost 1000 years pass before we have the next major terrorist movement The Assassins were Ismailis, a dissident Shi'a Islamic sect active in Persia and Syria Opposed to the Sunni establishment Dispute on who should succeed as Muhammad's successor: Shi'a hereditary, Sunni worthy community man Shi'a a minority today (~10%) and concentrated in Iran etc Did not try to escape after killing their victims Targets included sovereigns, princes, generals, governors, and anyone who opposed their doctrine Their first leader was Hassan i-Sabbah "The Old Man of the Mountain" Defeated by the Mongols in the 13th century Strict training schedules and kept isolated in Alamo from outside to prevent loss of focus on the cause Ability to evoke fear even after defeated by Mongols through legends of the Assassins Weapon of choice were daggers and sharp objects - al Qaeda also used simple objects like box cutters on 911

Anarchists in the United States

Anarchists responsible for terrorist attacks in U.S. Assassination of PResident William McKinley in 1901 by a lone wolf anarchist President Theodore Roosevelt describes anarchy as "a crime against the whole human race", blamed the lone wolf 100% and denied any wrongdoings by the government

Robespierre and the Reign of Terror

First modern case of state-terrorism: State uses terrorism upon their own people ex. Stalin's Russia, Hitler's Germany Reign of terror unleashed by Maximilien Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety Intended to complete the French Revolution Viewed his actions as virtuous Key instrument of terror was the guillotine on about 17000 people Allowed for more people to be executed in a shorter period of time, easier to condemn more people to death Executions attracted large crowds, similar to theater where people were expected to attend and executions done with flair and reviews done on like play reviews Guillotine toys for children became popular - artifacts still popular today, card games etc Robespierre himself eventually sent to the guillotine Precedent of state terror

The Anarchists

First wave in Rapoport's four-wave model of modern terrorism, formed in 1879 Narodnaya Volya (People's Will) was one of the most famous anarchist groups in Russia First terrorist group to use dynamite on a wide scale "Propaganda by deed" Most significant deed the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881 - showed that they were not against one ruler but resisted the entire regime Terrorism seen as a way to "undermine the prestige of the government's power

The Sons of Liberty

Influential group in the period preceding the American Revolution Formed in 1765 in protest to the Stamp Act Decentralized organization active in most of the colonies First terrorist act a few months before the Stamp Act came into place, a mob hung Andrew Oliver in effigy and went to his home to behead the effigy, resigned next day This mob terror achieved what months of protests could not as the act was eventually repealed Came from upper and middle classes of society such as merchants, lawyers etc but lower class mostly mobs John Adams, a member of the Sons of Liberty, attempted to distinguish good and bad mobs Forefront at other resistances of taxation by British ex. Townsend Act When people became desensitized to violence had to escalate their tactics to tarring and feathering Final act was Boston Tea Party in December 1773 where colonists disguised themselves as Mohawk Indians and dumped tea into Boston harbour Reminder that the Townsend Act had not been completely repealed as the tax on tea remained Forced to accept monopolization by East India Company Seen as another attempt by the British to enslave the colonists Critical role in uniting the colonies for rebellion against British rule Terrorists or Patriot? Or both? Without violence, American Revolution may not have happened "Freedom fighter refers to an end and terrorism the means"

The Religious Wave of terrorism (1980s-current) Fourth wave in Rapoport's model

Iranian revolution and Soviet invasion of Afghanistan spark the beginning of the religious wave of terrorism Suicide attacks became prominent, 9/11 as the game changer Key groups include al Qaeda, ISIS, Boko Haram From previous wave timelines this wave should be declining around 2020, however religious wave shows no signs of ending soon Brings full circle to the first terrorist group, the Zealots, who also had religious motivations

New Left Wave of Terrorism (1960s-2000s) Third wave in Rapoport's model

Key groups included Palestine Liberation Organization, Italian Red Brigades, Red Army Faction Hijackings and assassinations among the tactics used PLO committed 1st simultaneous plane hijackings of 4 british planes Terrorism as "theater" Symbiotic relationship between terrorists and the media, both media and terrorist use each other for benefit as media needs approval ratings and terrorists to spread word of their actions/cause

The Galleanists

Most influential Italian anarchist group in the U.S. Innovative plot in 1919 to send package bombs throughout the nation Group eventually decimated by arrests and deportations, leader Galleani deported Final terrorist act was the 1920 Wall Street Bombing by one of the last lone wolf remaining in the U.S. Worst act of domestic terrorism until the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing Struck a chord with other minority immigrants who were denied fair wages and the life they had dreamed of

Introduction

Terrorism is not a new phenomenon Its roots go back to ancient history We tend to ignore history in today's instant access, information overload society Santayana's famous quote "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"

The Thugs

Thugee movement existed in India from 11th to 19th centuries Hindu cult that killed in the name of the goddess Kali Many historians do not consider them a terrorist group Despite being under British rule did not intend on an uprising Many victims were travelers, killed by Thugs blending into the traveling group Membership was passed from generation to generation In Winter and Spring behaved as model citizens to dissipate suspicion, active in Summer and Fall Believed to be responsible for 500 000 to one million deaths Finally defeated by British officer William Sleeman in the 1830s Published books on the matter in order to create public outrage and convince the British this was a problem Strategy was to divide and conquer, give amnesty for thugs for giving up other thugs Thus, along with Zealots and Assassins, illustrate the diversity in early religious extremist movements Terrorism as whole is not a modern invention, caused by modern technology or modern ideas

Key questions to consider:

Why has terrorism endured since ancient times? How have the strategies and tactics of terrorists changed over time?

Terrorist Activity During the Anti-Colonial Wave (1920s-1960s) Second wave in Rapoport's model Terrorist activity

crucial in establishing several new states, including Israel, Cyprus, Algeria Term "freedom fighters" came into play due to negative connotations with "terrorists" Eventually the slogan "one person's terrorist is another person's freedom fight" would become popular, especially among potential recruits

The First Terrorist Group The Zealots/Sicari

ewish group active in Palestine during 1st century Goal was to provoke a rebellion against Roman rule Many believed Roman army to be incredibly strong, wanted peaceful protests Zealots were opposed to passive resistance Strategy was to commit terrorist attacks to cause an uprising, mostly through assassinations Had to invent terrorist tactics; escalating cycle of violence Compensated for lack of media by targeting public gatherings Also believed God was on their side in their quest for independence Moderate Jewish leaders lost to violent Zealots, Roman army responded strongly by destroying Jewish temple War erupts in 66 CE Final siege at Masada 73 CE Last remaining Zealots commit mass suicide