Lesson One: Current World Problems

1
Introduction and History of Terrorism

• Chapters 5 6

2
What is Terrorism?
Journal Response

• Define Terrorism.
• How should we define Terrorism?
• Who is a Terrorist?

3
Journal Response

• Osama Bin Laden
• Terrorist?
• Freedom Fighter?

4

• Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
• Terrorist?
• Patriot?

5
Journal Response

• Harry S. Truman
• Mass Murderer?
• Defender of freedom?

6
What is Terrorism?

• Use of force or violence against persons or
  property for the purpose of
• Intimidation
• Coercion
• Ransom
• Use of violence (or threats of violence) to
  create fear among the public, to convince people
  that their government is powerless, and to get
  immediate publicity for their causes.

7
History of the Term

• First popularized during the French Revolution
  (18th century).
• Referred to a person who worked to establish the
  new revolutionary state.
• A tool designed to consolidate the new
  governments power by intimidating enemies of
  the new state.

8
History of the Term

• Closely associated with virtue and democracy.
• Terror is nothing but justice, prompt, severe,
  and inflexible it is therefore an emanation of
  virtue Maximilien Robespierre

9
Commonalities of the Term

• Acts of terror had and have specific targets and
  goals.
• Acts of terror seek to create uncertainty and
  general fear (anyone can be a target).
• The goal and justification of terrorism is a new
  and better society in place of a corrupt and
  undemocratic political system.

10
What is the Difference?
Activity
Page 102 Questions 1 2

• War

• Terrorism

• _____________
• _____________
• _____________
• _____________

• _____________
• _____________
• _____________
• _____________

11
Terrorism Risk Factors

• Poverty.
• Closely linked with
• Economic isolation.
• Feelings of hopelessness.
• Violation of human rights.
• Example
• Madrassas (Islamic Seminaries supported by
  charities).
• Support (social, economic, religious).
• Indoctrination (hatred of the west).

12
Terrorism Risk Factors

• Globalization.
• Terrorism is a product of resistance to change.
• Resisting _____________ change.
• Cultural.
• Economic.
• Political.
• Religious.
• Military.

13
Terrorism Risk Factors

• Failure of Government.
• Problems ignored by local governments.
• What kind of problems?
• Economic.
• Religious.
• Social.
• Political.
• Ethnic.
• Example? Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

14
Terrorism Risk Factors

• Violence by Government.
• Violent suppression of minority groups.
• People seek to escape violence and oppression
  through the use of violence.
• Violation of human rights.
• Example Egypt.

15
Terrorism Risk Factors

• National or Cultural Humiliation.
• People feel their nation is being oppressed or
  invaded by outsiders.
• People feel their culture is under attack by
  outsiders.
• Example
• United States occupation of Iraq.

16
Terrorism Risk Factors

• Foreign Policy.
• Anger over foreign policy decisions of their
  nation or other nations.
• Example Osama Bin Laden (Saudi Arabia bases
  during Desert Storm).
• Example Palestinians.

17
Kinds of Terrorism
Journal Response

• Domestic Terrorism (pg. 108).
• Occurs within the borders of a country and is
  associated with extremist groups.
• Ex ___________________.
• Nationalist Terrorism (pg. 110).
• Struggles for political autonomy and/or
  independence.
• Ex ___________________.

18
Kinds of Terrorism
Journal Response

• Religious Terrorism (pg. 115).
• Extreme fundamentalist religious groups.
• God endorses violence.
• Often includes ritual (pg. 116).
• Ex ___________________.
• State Terrorism (pg. 117).
• Government sponsored terrorism.
• Ex ___________________.

19
Kinds of Terrorism
Journal Response

• Global Terrorism (pg. 117).
• Response to globalization.
• Terrorism on a global scale.
• Ex ___________________.

20
Goals of Terrorism

• Social and Political Justice.
• Overthrowing repressive governments.
• Self-Determination.
• Gain national independence.
• Racial Superiority.
• Preserving racial segregation and social,
  economic, and political power based on skin
  color.
• Foreign Policies.
• Influence other nations.

21
Goals of Terrorism

• Publicity.
• Draw public attention to their cause.
• Demoralized Governments.
• Undermine legitimate government policies by
  making governments look weak.
• Create a Climate of Fear and Insecurity.
• Undermine peoples confidence in their
  government.

22
Weapons of Terror
Journal Response

• Kidnapping.
• Car bombs.
• Suicide bombers.
• Air planes.
• Internet (cyber-war).
• WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction).
• Chemical and Biological Weapons.
• Nuclear Weapons.
• Radiation Weapons (dirty bombs).

23
End of Lesson

• Read Chapter 6