30 of 36

Write now Article Tools

Political Terrorism in America - A good starting point for understanding this topic would be the book by Christopher Hewitt Political violence and Terrorism in Modern America' on modern political violence in America. In it he goes through a chronology of terrorist events in the United States between 1954 and 2005. He considers: "acts of bombing, shooting, kidnapping, and robbery; groups include black militant, anti-abortion, Jewish, and other groups (foreign and domestic)" (from a review of the book, (published by Prager Security international reference, 2005).

An important thing is to define the word terrorism', perhaps using the FBI's definition would be useful. You also need to dig deep into the historical aspects. To look at the character of the different types of political violence, who was involved, and why they happened. To do this you must also go beyond Hewitt book, to look at the earlier 20thC, the 19thC and the 18thC too. Be careful also to consider: there is a the difference between terrorism' and political violence' you should define these terms. What makes it political' rather than personal or sexual?

Many consider the key cause of political violence in the USA to be racial. Ira M. Leonard of New York University has stated:"Historians of violence seem to agree that no single factor shaped Americans' national penchant for violence more than the obsession with race." http://www.blackcommentator.co m/144/144_think_violence_1.htm lThis issue should be addressed in your essay.

She also goes on to make another key issue - that the USA is steeped in a history of violence, which is quite the opposite of the image that most Americans have of themselves and their country as peace loving: "Violence, in varying forms, according to the leading historian of the subject, Richard Maxwell Brown, "has accompanied virtually every stage and aspect of our national experience," and is "part of our unacknowledged (underground) value structure.' "http://www.blackcommentator.c om/144/144_think_violence_1.ht ml

Learn more about this author, Walkerwriter.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Terrorism: An epidemic of fear?
We want to hear your view. Write now!