History of terrorism: Fact sheet
Terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism: 1) systematic use of violence and intimidation to achieve some goal. 2) The act of
terrorising. 3) The state of being terrorised.
The Collins English Dictionary
Terrorism is commonly understood as the systematic use of fear, or terror, as a means of coercion in order to
further religious, political or ideological beliefs. However, views on the exact definition of terrorism differ
between countries and cultures and may vary depending on individual ideas and beliefs. For example, soldiers
in a war may be viewed as terrorists by one group or freedom fighters by another.
A 2003 study for the US Army found more than 100 definitions of terrorism. Whilst these definitions generally
agreed that terrorism involves violence or the threat of violence, what we class as ‘terrorism’ is largely
subjective, depending on whether we sympathise more with the cause or the victim.
Defining ‘terrorism’
Violent attacks against civilian targets to further a religious, political or ideological cause may be regarded as
terrorism. However, similar attacks on military targets are not universally regarded as terrorism. Targets for
terrorism include people and property, including important buildings and infrastructure.
Some definitions of terrorism now include ‘unlawful acts of violence or war’ as terrorism. However, tactics used
by criminals to create protection rackets or enforce codes of silence using acts of violence are rarely classed as
terrorism in the UK.
Because of these differences, there is no internationally agreed, legally binding definition of terrorism for the
purposes of criminal law. In 1994 a United Nations resolution described terrorism as:
‘Criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group
of persons or particular persons for political purposes are in any circumstance unjustifiable,
whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or
any other nature that may be invoked to justify them.’
Examples of differing views on terrorism
During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan the Taliban had the support of the CIA (America’s intelligence
service). This was during the period in which America was engaged in the ‘Cold War’ with the Soviet Union.
The Taliban were seen by many as freedom fighters, resisting foreign occupation. These days the Taliban
features prominently on many lists of terrorist organisations.
Today the Palestinian people are widely viewed as freedom fighters, struggling against the unlawful occupation
of their land by Israel, and engaged in a long-established, legitimate resistance. However, the nation of Israel
regards them not as freedom fighters but as terrorists.
Reflective questions

Many news agencies now use terms like ‘insurgents’ or ‘militants’ to describe groups who some may
class as terrorists. Why might this be?

Why might the US Army have supported the Taliban during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan?

Why might terrorists target places and property as well as people?

‘One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter!’ What classifies a person as a terrorist?
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/readyforemergencies