Unit 8
Understand the Impact of
War and Terrorism on
Public Services
NAME
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Guidance
This booklet has been prepared to enable you to complete Unit 8Understand the impact of war, conflict and terrorism on Public Services.
There are two learning outcomes to be covered in this booklet.
1. Know the impact of war and conflict on UK public services.
2. Understand how UK public services deal with terrorism
There is some information within the booklet to help you complete
sections. You can also use knowledge you have acquired in the past. If
you follow current news stories this will also help you with some
sections. Finally you can use the internet to help you to research some
areas.
Work your way through the booklet answering all the questions.
Questions which require an explanation should be answered in
complete sentences.
Introduction
Your first task is to research what is meant by the terms WAR and
CONFLICT.
Use the internet to find a definition for each term and record this in the
spaces below. Then write your own explanation for each term.
Internet definition of war (make sure you record the website used)
What does the term war mean to you?
Internet definition of conflict (make sure you record the website used)
What does the term conflict mean to you?
Describe the causes of war and conflict
At present British public services are more likely to be involved in war
and conflicts abroad. Can you think of any countries where British armed
forces are currently based and are having to deal with conflict?
Record examples below
There have been incidents within Britain which have been connected to
conflict elsewhere. An example would be in July 2005 terrorists exploded
bombs on the London Underground and on a bus killing 52 people.
Many believed this was a reaction to the fact that the British had invaded
Iraq with the Americans in 2003.
British troops will also often be based in countries abroad in order to act
as a peacekeeping force.
Can you think of any examples of countries where British troops
are based in a peacekeeping capacity?
Record your examples below. (You can check on the internet for
ideas)
The reasons for war and conflict can be complex. Often there is more
than one reason. In long lasting conflicts other causes can develop over
time and make it increasingly difficult to resolve the situation.
Think of one reason why conflicts occur.
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Now choose a recent conflict that you have heard of and say why
you think that conflict started.
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The following table explains some of the causes of war and
conflict.
Read each description and fill in the blank area with the cause. The
first one is filled in for you as an example.
Description
Cause
If an ethnic group in a country is treated unfairly this
Ethnicity
could lead to conflict. They may be denied access to
full participation in the country’s government or
education or be discriminated against in employment.
This could result in them protesting and challenging
the ruling power
Nations often go to war over a variety of natural
resources such as oil, gas and water. These things
are valuable and can’t be moved so the land they are
in is important. The resources are usually extremely
important for the economy.
Wars can be caused by a country’s internal political
struggles. These can be about regions wanting
independence from the main government.
A country which is being attacked will have to fight
back in retaliation if they feel there is no other option
or a possible peaceful solution.
People can have strong beliefs in a god and this can
help society maintain stability. It can also be a big
source of conflict if people have different ideas on
how society should be run.
Sometimes things have happened in the past which
make people feel angry. People will continue to feel
angry about historical events. Sometimes they have
had to give up land and feel resentment or previous
wars have not been fully resolved.
Wars can be caused because people feel very
strongly about their traditional way of doing things.
They may resent new ideas or cultures developing.
This can apply on a small scale such as a tribe or on
a larger scale where people feel the national identity
is at risk.
Some believe that humans have an aggressive
nature and so channel this aggression into fighting.
Fighting between people has always happened. It is
natural for animals to fight in order to survive and
human beings are animals after all.
Describe the impact of conflict on UK public services
The Armed services
As most conflicts are abroad the greatest impact is on the armed
services. They need to be prepared and ready to deploy at short notice.
Training is important as they need to be able to cope with different
terrains and environments. They also need to be able to adapt to
different situations as peacekeeping requires different skills to open
warfare.
Answer the following questions:
a) How do you think the armed services train to be able to cope
with different situations?
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b) What skills and qualities do you think would be important for
peacekeeping duties?
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c) What skills and qualities do you think would be important for
warfare?
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You have already identified different places were the armed forces are
operational. At present British troops are located in 21 different countries
although many of these are small numbers for training purposes only.
The map below shows the location of troops engaged in peacekeeping
and direct conflict situations.
Why do you think being deployed in so many countries could have
an impact on the armed forces?
Many members of the armed forces have to do frequent tours of duty to
war zones.
How do you think this could affect them?
The impact on other public services
Increased government spending on war and conflict can mean there is
less money available for other services. The war in Iraq is estimated to
have cost £7 billion pounds. This money could have been spent on other
areas within Britain.
List other areas where this money could have been spent.
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Conflict also has a more direct impact on other public services. Currently
the conflict in Afghanistan has resulted in many casualties with very
complex injuries.
Which public service do you think this would affect. Explain your
answer.
Conflicts abroad have increased the likelihood of terrorist attacks within
Britain.
Which public services do you think this would affect. Explain your
answer.
Outline the terrorism methods used by key terrorist organisations
UK public services have to deal with terrorist activity both at home and
abroad. Research the term terrorism and record a definition below.
Definition:
Think about recent terrorist incidents you have heard about or seen on
TV. What sort of things to terrorists do to draw attention to their
cause?
Many people believe that terrorism and the threat of terrorism in the UK
comes mainly from overseas. Acts of terrorism are defined in the
Terrorism Act of 2000 as:
 Designed to influence the government or to
intimidate the public or a section of the
public
 The use or threat is made for the purpose of
advancing a political, religious or ideological
cause.
 It involves serious violence against a person
 It involves serious damage to property
 It endangers a person’s life.
 It creates a serious risk to the health or
safety of the public or a section of the public
Read the extract below and answer the following questions.
Animal Rights Activists
A farm in Newchurch, near Burton on Trent, Staffordshire bred guinea
pigs. Many of them were used for research purposes. The farm was a
target for animal rights activists from 1999 onwards. In 2005 they dug up
and stole the farmer’s dead mother’s body. It was not retrieved until April
2006. They also targeted other businesses with connections to the farm
including damaging machinery on an adjacent farm, harassing postal
workers delivering mail and throwing bricks through a local pub as the
landlord had continued to serve the farmer drinks. Eventually the family
closed the business down. In March 2006 four people were brought to
trial and were sentenced to between 6 and 12 years.
1. Would you class the activist actions as terrorism? (refer to the
extract from the terrorist act above) Explain your answer.
2. What was the cause that the activists were trying to draw
attention to?
3. Who were the people that the activists were trying to
intimidate?
Key terrorist organisations
There are many different terrorist groups operational around the world.
In the space below record as many examples as you can think of.
Now choose two from your list, research them on the internet and
provide a brief description of each one. (include information on what
cause they are supporting, which countries they operate in and give
examples of the activities they have carried out)
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There are many different actions that terrorists can take ranging from
low levels of intimidation to large scale atrocities e.g. 9/11.
Research examples for each of the following activities and give a
brief description for each.
Hi-jacking
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Hostage taking
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Assassinations
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Suicide attacks
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Biological and chemical attacks
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Discuss the methods used by the UK public services to counter
both national and international terrorism
International terrorism can be countered in a number of ways. The
highest level is the use of military action. Other options include financial
and trade sanctions as well imposing exclusion from sporting events.
Most recently the UK has worked with the USA on a war on terror which
included invading Iraq, deployment in Afghanistan and putting diplomatic
pressure on other countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Do you think the military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan have
helped to reduce acts of terrorism? (explain your opinion)
Do you think military action has increased anti Western feeling
amongst Islamic people? (explain your opinion)
Financial sanctions means reducing or restricting trade and investment
in specific countries because of their regime. In the past this has
included countries such as South Africa, Cuba, North Korea, Libya and
Zimbabwe.
Choose one example to research and answer the following
questions.
Country selected_________________________________
When and why were sanctions imposed?
What impact did the sanctions have?
Countering terrorism within the UK can include changing and
strengthening the law, training for personnel, increased security,
education and gathering and sharing intelligence with others.
Look up the Terrorism Act 2000 and 2003 and identify any new
powers that have been given to public services to help them deal
with terrorists.
Record examples below
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On the 7th July 2005 four suicide attacks were carried out in London.
Three bombs were detonated in the London Underground and one on a
bus. Fifty six people were killed with many others being critically injured.
A review of the public service response to the incident recommended
that communications be improved and that services needed to work in a
more co-ordinated way together.
What do you think public services could do to improve working
together?
Government buildings, public places and transport networks are often
targets for terrorists as they can cause the most disruption. What extra
security can you think of which has been brought in to minimise
risks?
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After the July bombings in London the police tried to track down one of
the bombers who had escaped. Eventually he was found in Italy and this
is an example of public services working on an international scale with
other countries to deal with these threats. There are several international
organisations which Britain belongs to. These organisations encourage
working together and also help to put pressure and sanctions on
countries believed to be harbouring terrorists.
Record examples of these organisations below
THE END