The word ‘terrorism’ came into use a couple of centuries ago. During the French Revolution it was used to describe a very violent and bloody period from 1793-1794 known as the ‘Reign of Terror’ (Terrorism, pg 18). Terrorism is the use of violence, or the threat of violence, to create a climate of fear in a given population. Terrorist violence targets ethnic or religious groups, governments, political parties, corporations, and media enterprises. Through publicity and fear generat

In 1916 a few Irish Republicans gained control of the post office and several other important buildings in the city of Dublin, which is the capital of Ireland. This rising was defeated, and the Republicans were executed. In 1922, after many years of struggle and three years of civil war, a part of Ireland was declared independent. But then conflict was not over; six counties were still in British control. These were located in Northern Ireland.(Terrorism, 45)

Thousand of people died in this act of terrorism, it was an attack on the free world. It sent chain reactions all over the world. Millions are afraid to fly and even band tours have been cancelled. It has attacked the United State’s economy. The stock exchange was close for the longest it has been since 1933 (http://www.infoplease.com/spot/terrorlog.html) This further proves that this attack of terrorism worked.

The IRA was popular and effective at first but after southern Ireland was made independent, its fortunes turned. After Eamon(http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/people/A0815330.html) De Valera, a former IRA supporter, took over the Free State government in 1932. The IRA weakened from internal disagreements and conflict and by a general loss of popular support . By the attainment of republican objectives in 1949, and by government measures against its illegal activities, the IRA declined swiftly. Eventually outlawed by both Irish governments, it became a secret organization. It perpetrated bombing attacks in Belfast, London, and at the Ulster border during the 1950s, particularly in 1956–57, but then became quiet until the late 1960s. This shows that acts of terrorism were carried out to create a climate of fear among the British in an attempt to make northern Ireland free.(The Terrorism Reader, pg 102)

Indeed then it can be said that terrorism has had a very important role in the Arab-Israeli conflict. The conflict is not just about a homeland it is also about religion. Islamic fundamentalists are responsible most of the religious Terrorism carried out in the Middle East. They believe that the law of Islam is a perfect and divine law. The Islamic fundamentalists hate the Israelis because they occupy sacred Islamic land. Their hate for western countries is mainly because they support their enemies, Israel. They blame ‘US Imperialism’ when countries such as Islamic Egypt (a US friendly country) disobey the Islamic Law. The aim of the Islamic fundamentalists is to cleanse these countries from outside influence and help their return to the purity of the Islam religion.

Some topics in this essay:
Encarta Encyclopedia, World War, Terrorism Reader, United State’s, Terror’ Terrorism, De Valera, Los Angeles, Palestinian PLO, Northern Ireland, Irish Republicans, world trade, act terrorism, acts terrorism, northern ireland, world trade center, 1st century, nazi germany, arab-israeli conflict, trade center, people onboard, los angeles, create climate fear, world trade centre, boston los angeles, encarta encyclopedia pg,