Transcript ACT NOW - Prevent for Schools

‘We’re living it, so we may as well learn
about it.’
Year 10 pupil



The word ‘terrorism’ when
spoken or read can cause
many emotive responses.
Certain acts of terrorism have
lead to International conflict
and wars around the world.
Globally, countries are divided
about how to tackle the
problem or even what the
word means.
Presently, there is no agreed
universal definition of the word
‘terrorism'. It has been
recorded that there are at least
109 known definition of the
word.



Historically ‘terrorism’
simply means to terrify, and
comes from the Latin term,
terrere, to cause to tremble.
The U.K. Government
definition of ‘terrorism’ can
be described as the use of
violence in order to
accomplish political or
social objectives.
Protests, strikes,
demonstrations and using
your right to vote are all
peaceful ways of expressing
your ideas and concerns.

Terrorists feel that these
methods are ineffective and
the only way forward is to
use violence to achieve their
goals.



The word ‘terrorism’ was first used in 1794 with connection to the
'Reign of Terror', led by the Jacobins during the French Revolution.
Mass execution became a common occurrence and was used
against people who were seen to be enemies to the French
Revolution.
It was during this ‘Reign of Terror’ that the guillotine became a
popular device for execution.




By the mid-twentieth century, the format of ‘terrorism’ was in the
process of changing. Instead of governments intimidating their
people with terror tactics, groups and individuals started to use
acts of terrorism against their governments.
During the Nazi occupation of France in WW2, a group naming
themselves the French Resistance was created. Their fundamental
goal was to liberate their country from Nazi rule
They carried out many attacks on the Nazis including blowing up
bridges, ambushing Germans and carrying out assassinations on
German officials. This resulted in the Nazi government labelling
the group as terrorists.
The French resistance saw themselves as “freedom fighters”


South Africa also experienced
acts of violent ‘terrorism’ due to
its system of governing called
Apartheid. This simply meant
‘separate development’.
However in reality it was a legal
form of racial segregation. Black
people were restricted to living
in only certain areas. They were
not even allowed to vote

In response to this unjust system of ruling, the African National
Congress was formed shortly before the First World War.

They wanted to get rid of the Government and Apartheid and
create a fair system of ruling based on Democracy.

During the 1960’s a critical decision was made to use more
violent and aggressive tactics to bring about racial equality.

Bombing, sabotage and damage to infrastructure was some of the
methods employed by the A.N.C. One of the African National
Congress members was Nelson Mandela who later became the
President of South Africa.



In the 1960’s Nelson Mandela was accused of
being a terrorist. He was found guilty and
imprisoned for 27 years and later released in
1990.
During his years in prison Nelson received
huge global support. In 1988 music artists
organised a massive music concert called the
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute.
The aim was to put pressure on the South
African Government to release him. It was
watched all around the world. He was
released two years later.

In 1993, Mandela was awarded
the Nobel Peace Prize.

He later became the South
African President in 1994 and
is often now seen as a figure of
inspiration and a champion of
peace.

Over time the perception of
Mandela as a terrorist
changed dramatically




The 1960’s saw many Nationalist based groups spring up. One
group closer to home (Northern Ireland) were known as the Irish
Republican Army or the I.R.A.
They were in direct conflict with the British Government. They
wanted to end British rule in Northern Ireland and carried out
acts of ‘terrorism’ in order to achieve their goal.
This resulted in an increase in tension between two groups- the
Protestants and the Catholics. The Protestants were the majority
in Northern Ireland and wanted Northern Ireland to remain
British.
The Catholics, however, were the minority and felt discriminated
against. They claimed that the Protestants had better houses,
better jobs and a better standard of living . They also felt that the
police were spying on their communities





One group, the IRA had been formed in the early
1920’s to fight against what they felt was ‘British
occupation’ of their country.
Violence and rioting had reached alarming levels
and led to the British army being deployed, to
Northern Ireland.
In 1984 the IRA targeted the UK cabinet and
detonated a bomb at the Grand Hotel Brighton.
The British army ended up staying there for
another 38 years and finally withdrew from
Northern Ireland in July 2007.
Some former IRA members are now elected MPs
who can vote in the House Of Commons
 How
have acts of “Terrorism” changed
during the 20th Century
 What do you think of the statement “One
man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom
fighter”
 Are terrorist acts just an illegal means to
seek power and control in a society?
 Who are the victims of terrorism?