Terrorism in America - Term Paper Example

Although terrorism seems to have gained only recent notice in America, it is a phenomenon that has long existed in the US.  Its history has been long and significant. This paper shall now seek to study and trace the history of terrorism in America. First, a general overview of the significant events in American terrorism shall be discussed. Secondly, a more specific discussion of relevant terrorism attacks in America shall be carried out. Lastly, this paper shall be summarized and concluded with specific points of discussion for future studies. This paper is being carried out to establish a clear picture of terrorism in America.

It is being conducted as a means of understanding the patterns of attacks as well as the impact of these events on the life of the American people. Body Overview Terrorism in the United States is said to be caused by the various issues and conflicts which exist within and outside its borders. The country is unique because of its ability to contain the masses in a state of relative peace and harmony (Kelly, 2012). On further evaluation, terrorism in America is borne out of extreme distrust of the American democratic ideals and of the illusion that people from varied backgrounds can all live loyally under the US political system (Kelly, 2012).

In effect, despite significant variations in the expressions of terrorism, terrorism in the US can sometimes be explained as a violent claim on American values. The distrust is based on various expressions from different groups and in different periods. The earliest manifestation of terrorism was seen in the early republic period. The Boston Tea Party is an incident that is not considered terrorism in the technical sense (Kelly, 2012). The incident was a staged rebellion launched by colonists as a means of pressuring Britain into shifting its policies on the US (Kelly, 2012).

Although this incident is not significantly violent, it can be placed in the category of terrorism as it was an act that sought to secure the goals and styles of national liberation groups. After the Civil War, terrorism came in the form of white supremacy movements and activities. The first form of terrorism seen in the United States was based on the ideals and activities of white supremacists (Kelly, 2012). These supremacists were Protestant Christians who believed that they were superior to other races and ethnicities and that general society must also exhibit such superiority.

Before the Civil War, American society displayed such supremacy, especially as slavery was a legal practice (Kelly, 2012). Only after the Civil War ended was slavery made illegal, and white supremacy was soon to emerge. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was the most infamous white supremacist group formed. This group used various means of terrorism and harmful activities against African-Americans and other sympathetic whites (Kelly, 2012). This group was later outlawed by Congress and the group was branded as terrorists.

Various incarnations of the group have become apparent over the years and various similar violent and terrorist acts have been perpetrated by these incarnations. The Ku Klux Klan still exists, but less violently, however, it has since grown in membership and continues to support its white supremacist ideals, not just against African-Americans, but against other minorities as well, including Asians, Arabs, and Jews. The Bolshevik revolution which later led to the establishment of the Soviet Union had a significant impact on revolutionaries all over the world, including in America (Kelly, 2012).