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Terrorism is the main threat.  It has existed long before the 20th century.  The Crusades were a reaction to medieval terrorism in Jerusalem.  The anarchist movement that began in the late 1800s, and which claimed President William McKinley as a victim (to assassination) in 1901, used terrorism.  In 1920, a bomb exploded in a crowd in the Wall Street district of Manhattan, killing 40 and injuring 400.  A warning note read, “Remember we will not tolerate any longer. Free the political prisoners or it will be sure death for all of you. American Anarchists Fighters.”  The criminals were never caught.

Terrorism is the main threat.  It has existed long before the 20th century.  The Crusades were a reaction to medieval terrorism in Jerusalem.  The anarchist movement that began in the late 1800s, and which claimed President William McKinley as a victim (to assassination) in 1901, used terrorism.  In 1920, a bomb exploded in a crowd in the Wall Street district of Manhattan, killing 40 and injuring 400.  A warning note read, “Remember we will not tolerate any longer. Free the political prisoners or it will be sure death for all of you. American Anarchists Fighters.”  The criminals were never caught.

   

   

Both terrorism and violent anarchism seek to disrupt and defeat authority.  In 1995, a Japanese cult released poisonous nerve gas in a Tokyo subway, killing 12 and injuring thousands.  In late 1996, Japanese terrorists captured and held hostages at an embassy in Lima, Peru.  The oldest active terrorist group in the world is the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which has attacked and bombed England in an attempt to force it to relinquish control of Northern Ireland.   

Both terrorism and violent anarchism seek to disrupt and defeat authority.  In 1995, a Japanese cult released poisonous nerve gas in a Tokyo subway, killing 12 and injuring thousands.  In late 1996, Japanese terrorists captured and held hostages at an embassy in Lima, Peru.  The oldest active terrorist group in the world is the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which has attacked and bombed Britain in an attempt to force it to relinquish control of Northern Ireland.   

No one wants a terrorist to obtain a nuclear bomb.  Most developed countries signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968 as a way of keeping nuclear arms out of the hands of terrorists and rogue nations.  India and Pakistan never signed this treaty, and in 1998 both successfully detonated nuclear explosions in tests, proving that they have atomic bombs.

No one wants a terrorist to obtain a nuclear bomb.  Most developed countries signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968 as a way of keeping nuclear arms out of the hands of terrorists and rogue nations.  India and Pakistan never signed this treaty, and in 1998 both successfully detonated nuclear explosions in tests, proving that they have atomic bombs.

Ireland is an island slightly northwest of England.  “Northern Ireland” is in the northeastern one-sixth of the island of Ireland.  Northern Ireland has about a million people, with slightly more Protestants than Catholics.  It is part of the United Kingdom rather than the country of Ireland.  Its Northern Ireland Assembly has 108 elected officials, of whom 59 are “Unionists” (who support remaining in the United Kingdom) and 42 are “Nationalist” (who seek joining the independent Irish Republic).  The other seven do not specify their allegiance.  The largest Christian denominations are Catholic,  the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Anglican Church of Ireland, and the Methodist Church, with the total number of Protestant members outnumbering the Catholics.

Ireland is an island slightly northwest of England.  “Northern Ireland” is in the northeastern one-sixth of the island of Ireland.  Northern Ireland has about a million people, with slightly more Protestants than Catholics.  It is part of the United Kingdom rather than the country of Ireland.  Its Northern Ireland Assembly has 108 elected officials, of whom 59 are “Unionists” (who support remaining in the United Kingdom) and 42 are “Nationalist” (who seek joining the independent Irish Republic).  The other seven do not specify their allegiance.  The largest Christian denominations are Catholic,  the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Anglican Church of Ireland, and the Methodist Church, with the total number of Protestant members outnumbering the Catholics.

Irish rebellions against English control date back to rebellions in 1798 and 1803, and several secret Irish societies (such as the Defenders and Ribbonmen) played roles in those uprisings.  There was an Irish Republican Army that fought the English at the Battle of Ridgeway.  There was the Easter Rising from April 24 to 30, 1916, during which Irish rebels capture key locations in Dublin and proclaimed an Irish Republic.  The English suppressed this and executed its leaders.  But on 1919, the Irish Republic was declared through the efforts of its leader, Michael Collins (1890-1922).  Unfortunately, Michael Collins was killed just three years later during an Irish civil war.

Irish rebellions against British control date back to rebellions in 1798 and 1803, and several secret Irish societies (such as the Defenders and Ribbonmen) played roles in those uprisings.  There was an Irish Republican Army that fought the British at the Battle of Ridgeway.  There was the Easter Rising from April 24 to 30, 1916, during which Irish rebels capture key locations in Dublin and proclaimed an Irish Republic.  The British suppressed this and executed its leaders.  But on 1919, the Irish Republic was declared through the efforts of its leader, Michael Collins (1890-1922).  Unfortunately, Michael Collins was killed just three years later during an Irish civil war.

Northern Ireland remains in control of the English Protestants, despite the objections of the growing Catholic minority.  On “Bloody Sunday” (1972), the Irish held a peaceful march for freedom in Derry, Northern Ireland.  The British soldiers responded by shooting thirteen unarmed protesters dead, including six minors, and another died from the wounds a few months later.  Five had been shot in the back.  Army vehicles ran over two protesters.  The British never punished those responsible and several songs (one by John Lennon, and other by U2) commemorate the tragedy.  There is a Christian rock group that dedicates its name to the event, calling themselves “Bloody Sunday.”

Northern Ireland remains in control of the British, despite the objections of the growing Catholic minority.  On “Bloody Sunday” (1972), the Irish held a peaceful march for freedom in Derry, Northern Ireland.  The British soldiers responded by shooting thirteen unarmed protesters dead, including six minors, and another died from the wounds a few months later.  Five had been shot in the back.  Army vehicles ran over two protesters.  The British never punished those responsible and several songs (one by John Lennon, and other by U2) commemorate the tragedy.  There is a Christian rock group that dedicates its name to the event, calling themselves “Bloody Sunday.”

This event made many Irish feel that complete independence is the only solution, and that armed revolt is the only way to achieve independence.  Membership in the IRA then soared.  At one point they launched handheld missiles on the headquarters of the British prime minister, in the hopes of killing Margaret Thatcher.  She escaped injury only by a stroke of luck or Providence.  More recently, violence in Northern Ireland has subsided, but there is no end to the controversy over whether the English Protestants or the Irish Catholics should rule that northeastern corner of Ireland.

This event made many Irish feel that complete independence is the only solution, and that armed revolt is the only way to achieve independence.  Membership in the IRA then soared.  At one point they launched handheld missiles on the headquarters of the British prime minister, in the hopes of killing John Major.  He escaped injury.  More recently, violence in Northern Ireland has subsided, but there is no end to the controversy over whether the Protestants or Catholics should rule that northeastern corner of Ireland.

'''B. Terrorism'''

'''B. Terrorism'''