THE CAUSES OF TERRORISM SQA 2018 HIGHER PAST

SQA 2018 HIGHER PAST PAPER QUESTIONS To what extent are some factors which cause

WHAT IS TERRORISM? The term terrorism first arose in the aftermath of the French

The. WHAT Purposes of IS TERRORISM? Terrorism There is no internationally agreed definition of

The terrorism which catches our attention and horror is often that associated with the

RELIGION AS A CAUSE? • Some terrorist groups justify their violence by claiming that

THE ISIS THREAT Sadly, in recent years terrorist attacks, often inspired by the Islamic

AN ISLAMIC STATE? ISIS are ‘jihadists’. The group opposes a Western presence and ‘Western

TERRORISM AS THEATRE American academic Brian Michael Jenkins argues that terrorists are keener to

ATTENTION SEEKING? On the other hand, the internet and social media can also be

AN ONGOING THREAT ISIS is actually losing ground in Syria and Iraq and, as

NATIONAL LIBERATION AS A CAUSE? SPAIN Terrorist groups normally have a 'cause' in which

NATIONAL LIBERATION AS A CAUSE? NORTHERN IRELAND Likewise, the conflict in Northern Ireland revolved

STATE LEGITIMACY Many people have a strong sense of national identity and would like

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THE CAUSES OF TERRORISM

SQA 2018 HIGHER PAST PAPER QUESTIONS To what extent are some factors which cause this issue more important than others?

WHAT IS TERRORISM? The term terrorism first arose in the aftermath of the French revolution (1793 -94). Under Robespierre's 'reign of terror' some 40, 000 supporters or alleged supporters of the French monarchy were executed by the new French state. While some speak of 'state terrorism' today, the term is most often used in association with non-state actors such as al-Qaeda and ISIS. The Terror

The. WHAT Purposes of IS TERRORISM? Terrorism There is no internationally agreed definition of terrorism. VI Lenin, leader of the Bolsheviks and first leader of communist Russia famously declared that 'the purpose of terrorism is to terrify’. Terrorist groups normally have some kind of a ‘cause’, although it can be unclear what that is. Terrifying people and causing a state of alarm and anxiety is certainly one of the purposes of terrorism. Terrorist groups hope to stop people going about their normal business or going to places they normally would go. Their actions then have a larger impact. Terrorist groups also enjoy the attention their actions provoke.

The terrorism which catches our attention and horror is often that associated with the UK, Europe and the USA. Terrorism in other parts of the world doesn’t tend to get the same attention, yet it is no less harmful or shocking. SOME PERSPECTI VE On 15 April 2017, a suicide car bomb detonated near a convoy of buses in western Aleppo, Syria. The bombing killed at least 126 refugees, including at least 80 children. The perpetrator's identity is unknown. It could have been either a pro-Government or a rebel group perpetrator. On 31 May 2017, a truck bomb exploded in a crowded intersection in Kabul, Afghanistan, near the German embassy, killing over 150 and injuring 413, mostly civilians. No group has claimed responsibility, the Afghan Taliban are also a suspect but they have denied involvement. Aleppo attack, April 2017

RELIGION AS A CAUSE? • Some terrorist groups justify their violence by claiming that they are acting out the wishes of a higher, religious authority. • al Qaeda, ISIS and other 'jihadist' terrorists believe that Christianity and Judaism are hostile to Islam. • Their views are based on a selective and fundamentalist view of the Koran, in much the same way as 'Christian' terror groups, such as the KKK, have selectively interpreted the Bible. • They believe US foreign policy; wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with Western support for Israel, have oppressed, killed, or otherwise harmed Muslims in the Middle East.

THE ISIS THREAT Sadly, in recent years terrorist attacks, often inspired by the Islamic jihadist group ISIS/Daesh have now become commonplace. These attacks range from shootings by Organised gangs (Paris, France and Dhaka, Bangladesh), So-called ‘lone wolf’ attacks (London Bridge, Sousse, Tunisia; Orlando, Florida) Suicide bombers, (Manchester, Istanbul, Turkey; Baghdad, Iraq) Vehicle attacks (Berlin, Nice and Barcelona)

AN ISLAMIC STATE? ISIS are ‘jihadists’. The group opposes a Western presence and ‘Western values’ in the Arab world. It seeks to establish an Islamic state in the Middle East, expelling all non-Muslims and any trace of Western culture. The capture and execution of ‘Westerners’ is part of this plan. As are terrorist attacks in Europe, and the USA, if it has the opportunity. ISIS aims to create an Islamic state. It raises taxes within the putative state and hopes to capitalise from oil and gas supplies to fund this new Islamic state. ISIS in Africa

TERRORISM AS THEATRE American academic Brian Michael Jenkins argues that terrorists are keener to get their message across to the world than to cause deaths. Violence is simply a way of attracting attention in order to publicise their message. In the past, capturing the attention of the tv news was the priority. Now, the internet, mobile phones and social media can play this role. Footage of the brutal murder of the soldier Lee Rigby in May 2013 by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale was used by Islamic terrorist groups such as al-Shabaan. The mind of Michael Adebolajo

ATTENTION SEEKING? On the other hand, the internet and social media can also be used to tackle terrorism. In December 2015 Muhaydin Mire was the perpetrator of an attack on three people at the London underground station of Leytonstone, shouting “this is for Syria”. Youaintnomuslimbruv Presumably the attacker hoped he would become a hero to terrorist groups. However, an onlooker shouted “You ain’t no Muslim bruv” as the attacker was tasered by police. His actions were captured on another onlooker’s mobile phone. Within minutes the phrase trended on social media and was used by London Underground and even the Prime Minister to spread the message that the vast majority of UK Muslims do not support terrorism.

AN ONGOING THREAT ISIS is actually losing ground in Syria and Iraq and, as an organisation, is in retreat. However, experts believe ISIS remains an ongoing threat to Westerners at home and abroad. ISIS has strategically created a system which allows attackers or small groups to be inspired and then act on their own. Right, Barcelona terror suspects. Barcelona Terror Attack, August 2017

NATIONAL LIBERATION AS A CAUSE? SPAIN Terrorist groups normally have a 'cause' in which they are prepared to kill or be killed themselves for. Terrorist groups whose members are committed to a national cause often have long term staying power. The Basque Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) began as a student group, opposed to Spain's fascist dictatorship of General Franco. The Basque conflict lasted from 1968 -2010 (there is a ceasefire in place just now).

NATIONAL LIBERATION AS A CAUSE? NORTHERN IRELAND Likewise, the conflict in Northern Ireland revolved around disputed territory; the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) using violence against the British ‘occupation’ of Northern Ireland Loyalist groups such as the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) supporting violence to maintain Northern Ireland’s status within the UK. The conflict lasted from 1969 until the Good Friday Agreement of 1997. The Legacy of the Troubles

STATE LEGITIMACY Many people have a strong sense of national identity and would like a different constitutional arrangement of their country. The Scottish independence referendum sparked many lively debates but there was no political violence. The legitimacy of the state, therefore, is a crucial factor in the existence of terrorism. In Scotland the UK state has always been seen as a legitimate institution. In Northern Ireland Spain, the legitimacy of the political system has always been challenged by a significant number of its residents.