Terrorism

How did terrorism change?

Although terrorism, the use of violence for a political cause, is not a new crime and was seen in the early modern period with Gunpowder Plot, it increased in the 20th century.

Which groups commit terrorism?

The groups that are known for committing terrorist acts have changed in 3 key ways the twentieth century.

• ❖ From the 1970s until the 1990s, the best-known terrorist group was the IRA (Irish Republican Army), which used violence to campaign for Irish nationalism.
• ❖ In recent years, the prevention of terrorism has focused on religious extremists like Al-Qaeda and Isis, which have been responsible for acts of terror in Europe, such as the London bombings of July 2005.
• ❖ Other groups also use terrorism to further their causes, such as animal rights activists seeking to end animal testing.

Why did terrorism increase?

The crime of terrorism increased in the modern period because technology, such as phones and the internet, allowed terrorists to communicate and spread their message more effectively, and to reach a wider audience.