Terrorism Essay Research Paper The word terrorism
Terrorism Essay, Research Paper The word terrorism first appeared during the French Revolution (1789-1799). Some of the revolutionaries who seized power in France adopted a policy of violence against their enemies. (World Book, Terrorism) The period of their rule became known as the Reign of Terror. Terrorism is the use or threat of violence to create fear and alarm. Terrorists murder and kidnap people, set off bombs, hijack airplanes, set fires, and commit other serious crimes. However, the goals of terrorists differ from those of ordinary criminals. Most criminals want money or some other form of personal gain. Nevertheless, most terrorists commit crimes to support political causes. Terrorism has become an increasingly destructive force in the United States, and has been the backbone for the PLO?s ability to become a sovereign state. The American FBI defines domestic terrorism as the “unlawful use of force or violence, committed by a group(s) of two or more individuals, 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 number of terrorist attacks in the 1990s has made America realize the vulnerability amongst them.? (Anderson, 44-46). In February 1993, a bomb exploded within the World Trade Center in New York City. The bomb?s location was in the parking area underneath the building, damaging the under lying base and the subway tunnels. Six people were killed; more than 1,000 were injured. The FBI joined the Joint Terrorist Task Force in the investigation. They resulted in bringing 22 Islamic fundamentalist conspirators to trial along with the suspected mastermind Sheik Raham . In April 1996, federal agents arrested Theodore Kaczynski and charged him with crimes committed by what they categorized as “Unabomber”. The Unabomber, who preyed upon university scientists and airline employees, had been haunting authorities for over 18 years. The FBI stated that the suspect had killed three people and injured 23 others by means of disguising bombs as mail packages. The FBI?s theoretical motive for the actions of the Unabomber was that the new and more advanced technology present in the world had dehumanized society. The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April 1995 killed 168 people and injured more than 500 others. (Appendix A) The trial of the suspects Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, who were charged with murder and conspiracy, commenced in the final months of 1996. The two were connected to a militia movement, which opposes the expanded powers of the federal government and believes that their right to bear arms had been threatened. The Oklahoma City bombing occurred two years after federal troops stormed the Branch Dividian compound outside Waco, Texas. Federal prosecutors believe that the reasoning behind these heinous actions was retaliation towards government officials due to the death of 78 Branch Davidian militia members. (Anderson, 66-68) During the Summer Olympic Games, in July 1996, a pipe bomb exploded at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Georgia. This occurrence killed two people and injured more than one hundred others. Officials suspected this was an act of domestic terrorism, acted out by members of a local militia group; suspects were questioned without any results. (Appendix B) Airlines are a major concern to government?s of the world, due to their utilization by terrorist highjackers for means of ransom and or currency. On July 17, 1996, TWA Flight 800 exploded in midair off the coast of Long Island (shortly after taking off from New York’s Kennedy International Airport). The explosion killed all 229 passengers and crewmembers. Speculation circulated throughout government branches and media representatives. These concerns questioned the legitimacy of the crash, implying that a terrorist attack
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