A ripple diagram

1
Why do people commit acts of terrorism?
2
Why do people commit acts of terrorism?
There are no easy answers to this question, but
we will use the next few lessons to explore some
of the reasons why people commit acts of
terrorism. We will also explore alternative
non-violent and legitimate means of bringing
about change.
3
Why do people commit acts of terrorism?

• In the past, people have committed terrorist
  acts
• because they want to become independent from the
  rest of the nation
• because they want to change the government
• because they want religious freedom
• out of retaliation for attacks on their
  members/people
• because they dont agree with specific laws
• as revenge for perceived/real injustice.
• The attack of 9/11 was harder to understand
  because there isnt one specific aim behind it.

4
Bringing about change

• It can be argued that terrorism is wrong for at
  least two reasons
• Terrorism rarely, if ever, works. Governments and
  citizens often harden their positions when faced
  with terrorists and refuse to negotiate.
• Most people would claim that terrorism is morally
  wrong.

5
Bringing about change
Case A Someone joins a large and peaceful march
to protest about the Government spending cuts for
universities.
Morally OK Morally grey
Morally wrong
6
Bringing about change
Case B Someone joins a large march to protest
about the raising of tuition fees at universities
and throws a brick at a police van.
Morally OK Morally grey
Morally wrong
7
Bringing about change
Case C A local hospital is under threat of being
closed down. A campaign is running to try to
keep it open. One person from the campaign
handcuffs themselves to a Government minister,
to try to raise awareness about the hospital in
the national media. Link to a similar
story http//news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1204719.stm
Morally OK Morally grey
Morally wrong
8
Bringing about change
Case D A university has been raising the fees
they charge to students. To protest about this a
group of students all sit down in the main
entrance to the university, making it almost
impossible for anyone to get in or out (a sit
in). They boo any student or teacher that tries
to enter or leave. Link to a similar story in
America http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashville_si
t-ins
Morally OK Morally grey
Morally wrong
9
Bringing about change
Case E A group of extremist Christians object to
an abortion clinic being set up. They stand
outside the building with posters and shout
murderers at any woman entering. They
photograph people who enter and put the photos on
a website accusing them of murder. Link to a
similar story www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/201
1/03/110303_wt_westboro_baptist_church.shtml
Morally OK Morally grey
Morally wrong
10
Bringing about change
Case F A group of animal rights protesters kidnap
one of the directors of a fur farm in North
America. They demand the release of all the
animals into the wild before they will release
the director. Link to a similar
story http//news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3541234.stm
Morally OK Morally grey
Morally wrong
11
Bringing about change
Case G In one country, black people were
segregated from white people and treated as
inferior. They were given worse housing,
education and medical services than white people
and often prevented from taking better-paid jobs.
A group of black protesters wanted to change this
system. They started a campaign of bombing
official government buildings such as courts.
They try to avoid killing humans if possible.
Morally OK Morally grey
Morally wrong
12
Case study
Nelson Mandela was one of the leading members of
the ANC, which engaged in violent protests and
organising the bombing of buildings. In 1963, he
was arrested and found guilty of acts of
terrorism (sabotage) against the state. He was in
prison until his release in 1990. He later
acknowledged that even though apartheid was
unfair and a breach of human rights, the use of
force also violated other peoples human
rights. The eventual release of Nelson Mandela
came about largely through international pressure
and economic sanctions. In other words, through
peaceful means. Up to 2008, Nelson Mandela was
not allowed to enter the USA because he has
previously been classed as a terrorist.
13
Gandhi and non-violence
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world
blind." In the last century, Gandhi was a key
figure in enabling India to gain independence
from Britain. He was a political leader of many
Hindus. He preached non-violent means of protest
such as non-cooperation with the British
authorities and boycotting British goods. Tens of
thousands of followers took part in the
non-violent demonstrations, and tens of thousands
were sent to prison. By using non-violence,
Gandhi and his followers were always able to take
the moral high ground over the often violent
British authorities. The protests were one of
the key factors in India gaining independence
from Britain and were the first time that
non-violent action had been used on such a large
scale "There are many causes that I am prepared
to die for but no causes that I am prepared to
kill for."
14
Question
If it is not effective, then why do people still
commit acts of terrorism?