1. AP Human Geography Political Organization of Space Unit
Terrorism
AP Human Geography
Political Organization of Space Unit

2. Terrorism
Is the systematic use of violence by a group in order to intimidate a population or coerce a government into granting its demands.
Attempt to achieve their objectives through organized acts that spread fear, such as:
Bombing
Kidnapping
Hijacking
Hostages
Assassination
Applied to actions by groups operating outside government rather than to those of official government agencies.
Victims are usually citizens.
Consider violence as necessary to bring publicity to goals and grievances

3. Terrorism Against Americans
Major events during the late 20th Century:
12/21/88 – Pan Am Flight, Lockerbie, Scotland
2/26/93 – Car bomb, World Trade Center
4/19/95 – OKC Bombings
10/12/00 – The USS Cole – Yemen
17 year period – Theodore J. Kaczynski aka Unabomber
Some committed by Americans, some by outside forces
Click here for a more extensive list

4. 9/11 September 11, 2001 World Trade Center – NYC Pentagon – DC
Al-Qaeda responsible for the hijacking of 4 planes
2,977 victims; over 6,000 injuries

7. Al-Qaeda
Is not a single unified organization; number involved in unknown.
Number involved is unknown.
Also encompasses local franchises concerned with country specific issues.
Responsible or implicated in most of the anti-US terrorism during the last two decades.
Osama bin Laden
One of 50 children to billionaire Mohammed bin Laden
Used inheritance to set up Al-Qaeda
“The Foundation” or “the base”
Around 1990 to unite jihad fighters in Afghanistan, as well as other parts of the Middle East
Issued a declaration of war against the US in 1996 because of US support for Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Claims the destruction of the Saudi monarchy and the Jewish state of Israel would liberate from their control the 3 holiest sites for Muslims: Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem.
Use of religion to justify attacks has posed challenges to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

9. Why Has Terrorism Increased?
Terrorism initiated by individuals, organizations, and states has increased, especially against the US.
Some terrorists consider all US citizens justifiable targets because they hold all US citizens responsible for US government policies and cultural practices.
Tactics of the terrorist groups
Manipulating young teenagers by saying that their suicidal acts will lead them to a great paradise
Brainwashing the uneducated people in extreme poverty by providing them provisions and money
Displaced population: High numbers of refugees who are in an extremely desperate situations
Development of technology
Limitless amount of funding on their terrorist actions
Easier traveling from continent to continent
Nation’s governmental performance factor (nations with higher risk of corruptions, weaker rules of law, and lower levels of national security allows extreme groups to accumulate wealth and expand)

10. State Support for Terrorism
Several states in the Middle East have provided support for terrorism:
Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, Pakistan, etc.
Providing sanctuary for terrorists wanted by other countries
Supplying weapons, money, and intelligence to terrorists
Planning attacks using terrorists
Currently (2016), the U.S. governments classifies 3 states as “State Sponsors of Terrorism.” Cuba was removed from the list in 2015.
Sudan
Syria
Iran
Click here to find out how the U.S. classifies countries as “State Sponsors of Terrorism” and see why these three qualify