Didn't terror exist before 9/11 ?

Question

If it did, what was the campaign against it called?
I think Bush coined the afore-mentioned case.

Answer 1

What we call terrorism has been used by the underdog since the beginning of time

Answer 2

Of course. And that's why it was so stupid for the Bush Admin to stir up the hornet's nest and make things worse. Terrorism is now much worse than before 9/11. Perhaps that's what is necessary to somehow end it, but as things stand, things have gotten significantly worse.

But I guess part of the problem is that the Bush Admin was really never interested in fighting terrorism. They just used it as an excuse to bully other nations, and now we're all suffering because of it. But of course, we've been saying this to you people for years, and yet still you continue to misunderstand what we're saying. Why don't you drop these strawmen and address our real arguments?

Answer 3

For a long time, you could say that Terrorism was THE model to go by when you wanted things done... at least in the past. Its not new at all, it has always existed. And you also can't place it solely at the feet of the Muslim world, that is entirely unfair. There are many different brands of Terrorism.

Look at what has happened in the UK for decades, between the IRA (Irish republican Army) and the UK? Train and subway bombings? Political assassinations? Hostage takings? Thats Terrorism based between two Christian nations for secular and religious reasons. Look at what has been happening in Spain, with the Basque Separatists? Same deal.

In France, during their Revolution, there was an entire span of time referred to as Robespierre's "Reign of Terror" where political dissidents on both sides murdered each other in horrible fashion, and would slaughter people on one side or another.

Heres one for those that think the US has never engaged in terrorism itself... During the Reconstruction Era of the United States after the Civil War, a group formed in the South known as the Klu Klux Klan. Their entire purpose was to evoke terror in the former slave population, as well as any who supported former slaves having rights. They dis so by burning or bombing homes, killing abolitionists, Northerners and former slaves. President Grant essentially waged a "War on Terror" on the Klan.

In Rome, if your town came under attack by the Roman Army, you were subject to "terrorism" with the notion that if your town did not surrender and accept Roman rule, you would be wiped out. Your women and children would be raped, your children would be sold into slavery and your men would be enslaved or murdered. Your town would be burned to the ground. That is terrorism in its own way.

I'm going to make a rather bold supposition here and say this. Its always existed, its only become important to AMERICANS recently because we have become a target for it. We are so arrogant and uncaring of what happens around the world that it took an attack on us to understand what others are going through. Meanwhile, the world has been dealing with its effects for decades, if not centuries. No matter the timeline, its still immoral to do... but unfortunately its quite effective in getting your point across. :/

Answer 4

Heck yeah! But 9/11 was the wake-up call that many needed. Unfortunately, the initial anger following 9/11 has faded and many people try to believe that terrorism isn't really a threat and that it's all just a political ploy.

Answer 5

Of course 'terror' existed, but Bush has used 'terrorism' to the degree that he sounds like a stuck record! I would think his keepers would eventually come up with something original.

The new concept of 'terror' and 'terrorism' is dfferent now! If your avowed enemy kidnaps two soldiers, that's terrorism. If you kill 400 civilians and bomb a city to rubble, that's retaliation against an enemy you can't find, not TERRORISM!

How many Americans would become terrorists if attacked and occuied by another country? They did become terrorists in 1776!

So terror has always existed, but Bush has used to do what? To scare (terrorize?) the public and to justify his gross errors.

Answer 6

yes - they even tried to bring down the WTC with a truck bomb in the basement. bombed airliners, kidnappings, suicide bombers, boarded a cruise ship and killed people, the Olympics in Munich,Germany. Its not exclusive to the mideast either the IRA used a terror campaign against the Brits for some years also. Algerians against the French. We've even had domestic terrorism in the US during integration in the 60's. Activists were kidnapped and murdered, churches were bombed, MLK was assasinated.

It ain't nothin' new.

Answer 7

Yes it did, terrorism is a tactic used for centuries. Back in The 8th century there was a fanatic Islamic group call the Hashishin specialized in target killings, that's were we get the word Assassin. Not all terrorist organizations are fanatic Islamists, in the late 20th century separatist groups like ETA in Spain and IRA in Great Britain often made headlines with their bombings and attacks.

Answer 8

Yes.

Even the World Trade Center had been bombed previously.

Terrorism in the Middle East did not begin with 9/11 either.

Answer 9

Yes and the Imperial Empire of Japan existed before Dec. 7, 1941. And your point is?

Answer 10

Yes, but the measures that would have had to be taken to combat it were perceived as unpopular by the administration at the time (I won't mention any names, but his last name starts with C), and so the problem was swept under the rug for the next administration to deal with.