10.6 Current Issues: Terrorism in America
Brandon Hamann
Contrary to popular belief, terrorism in the United States did not begin with the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001. Needless to say, the downing of the World Trade Center Towers in New York City will be forever ingrained in the memories of Americans forever. However, there have been many events that foreshadowed this one incident that were just as memorable, if not more so. Before we get into further detail, it is important that we give a bit of context into the history of Terrorism and its impact on current issues within the Criminal Justice System in the United States, because the United States has had such a unique relationship with the term “terrorism.” And what the graphic above shows is that not all acts of terrorism come from foreign adversaries. Much of it is born right here inside the United States.
What is Terrorism?
“Terrorism” is an extremely difficult word to define. It really depends on which side of the argument you are on in how you would describe its meaning. Have you ever heard the phrase “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure?” When discussing terrorism, the phrase can be reinterpreted as “one person’s freedom fighter is another person’s terrorist.” For example:
STAR WARS
A small group of rebels have banded together in an alliance to fight back against the tyranny of the Galactic Emperor and his powerful Sith Lord Vader to rid the galaxy of their evil and win freedom for their friends and families and bring peace and democracy to the people.
- If you’re a supporter of the Rebels, you see them as Freedom Fighters, fighting against the Evil Empire.
- If you’re a supporter of the Empire, you see the Rebels as Terrorists, usurpers trying to change your comfortable way of life.
This is an oversimplification of an age-old story plot. However, when discussing terrorism, it can get much more complex.
For the purposes of this Introductory text, a generalized definition of terrorism is the best course. Therefore, terrorism is the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political gains.
A Brief History of Terrorism in America
If we were to have a serious global historical discussion about terrorism, this textbook would be very long. In fact, there are entire courses dedicated to the study of Terrorism and Counterterrorism at the college level if you choose to pursue a career in that field. We would have to go back to before the creation of the United States to even before the journey of Christopher Columbus. However, we will keep the historical context in America to the 20th century until the present.
The Milwaukee Police Department Bombing (1917)
Italian anarchists protesting against the conscription of men into World War I unintentionally detonated an improvised explosive device inside the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Police Department, killing 9. The bomb was meant to be set off inside a nearby church, where a local pr