Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
The terms "terrorist" and "terrorism" originated during the French Revolution and gained significant international usage in the 1970s.
Answer: True
Explanation: The terms "terrorist" and "terrorism" originated during the French Revolution and gained significant international usage in the 1970s.
Maximilien Robespierre, a leader during the French Revolution, stated that terror is "nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible."
Answer: True
Explanation: Maximilien Robespierre, a key figure during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, articulated his justification for the use of terror by stating it is "nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible."
Technological advancements such as the pistol and dynamite significantly facilitated the "birth of modern terrorism" in the late 19th century by enabling more effective and widespread attacks.
Answer: True
Explanation: The advent of technologies like the pistol and dynamite in the late 19th century empowered terrorist groups, contributing to the "birth of modern terrorism" by enhancing their capacity for attacks.
The Irish Republican Brotherhood, founded in 1858, is considered the first organization to use modern terrorist techniques, initiating the Fenian dynamite campaign in 1881.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Irish Republican Brotherhood, established in 1858, is recognized as an early adopter of modern terrorist techniques, notably through its Fenian dynamite campaign initiated in 1881.
The Fenian dynamite campaign and the *Ère des attentats* in France marked a shift in terrorism tactics from person-based targeting to location-based targeting, aiming to sow fear in broader populations.
Answer: True
Explanation: These historical campaigns represented a transition in terrorist strategy from targeting specific individuals to employing location-based attacks designed to affect wider areas and populations.
During the *Ère des attentats* in France, the emergence of "lone wolves" and the birth of mass or indiscriminate terrorism occurred.
Answer: True
Explanation: The period known as the *Ère des attentats* in France witnessed the rise of "lone wolf" perpetrators and the development of mass or indiscriminate terrorism, targeting collective enemies.
When did the terms "terrorist" and "terrorism" originate and gain widespread international attention?
Answer: During the French Revolution, gaining attention in the 1970s.
Explanation: The terms "terrorist" and "terrorism" originated during the French Revolution and gained significant international usage and worldwide attention in the 1970s.
The term "terrorism" originated during which historical period?
Answer: The Reign of Terror during the French Revolution
Explanation: The terms "terrorist" and "terrorism" originated during the French Revolution, specifically referring to the actions of the Jacobin Club during their period known as the "Reign of Terror."
What technological development significantly influenced the "birth of modern terrorism" in the late 19th century?
Answer: The development of the pistol and dynamite
Explanation: The advent of technologies like the pistol and dynamite in the late 19th century empowered terrorist groups, contributing to the "birth of modern terrorism" by enhancing their capacity for attacks.
Which organization is arguably the first to use modern terrorist techniques, initiating the Fenian dynamite campaign in 1881?
Answer: The Irish Republican Brotherhood
Explanation: The Irish Republican Brotherhood, established in 1858, is recognized as an early adopter of modern terrorist techniques, notably through its Fenian dynamite campaign initiated in 1881.
The Fenian dynamite campaign and the *Ère des attentats* marked a shift in terrorism tactics from:
Answer: Person-based to location-based
Explanation: These historical campaigns represented a transition in terrorist strategy from targeting specific individuals to employing location-based attacks designed to affect wider areas and populations.
What new forms of terrorism emerged during the *Ère des attentats* in France in the 1890s?
Answer: "Lone wolves" and mass or indiscriminate terrorism
Explanation: The period known as the *Ère des attentats* in France witnessed the rise of "lone wolf" perpetrators and the development of mass or indiscriminate terrorism, targeting collective enemies.
Terrorism has been employed by a variety of entities, including left-wing and right-wing political organizations, nationalist groups, religious groups, revolutionaries, and ruling governments.
Answer: True
Explanation: Terrorism has been employed by diverse actors, not exclusively by left-wing political organizations. This includes right-wing groups, nationalist movements, religious factions, revolutionaries, and state actors.
Bruce Hoffman observed a significant increase in religiously motivated terrorist groups between 1980 and 1995.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bruce Hoffman's analysis indicated a substantial rise in the prevalence of religiously motivated terrorist groups during the period from 1980 to 1995.
Terrorism is chosen as a tactic for various reasons, including its utility as asymmetric warfare, its ability to intimidate populations, gain attention, and provoke over-reactions, rather than being the most effective form of conventional warfare.
Answer: True
Explanation: Terrorism is selected as a tactic due to its effectiveness in asymmetric conflict, its capacity for intimidation and attention-grabbing, and its potential to provoke enemy overreactions, not as a primary form of conventional warfare.
A study by Paul Gill, John Horgan, and Paige Deckert found that religious beliefs motivated 43% of "lone wolf" terrorists.
Answer: True
Explanation: Research by Gill, Horgan, and Deckert indicated that religious beliefs served as a motivating factor for 43% of "lone wolf" terrorists studied.
Ariel Merari concluded, based on his studies, that suicide terrorists were unlikely to be psychologically abnormal.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ariel Merari's research suggested that suicide terrorists were generally not psychologically abnormal.
Jihadist militants exhibit an ambivalent view towards democracy, often exploiting its values while opposing it ideologically.
Answer: True
Explanation: Jihadist militants hold an ambivalent stance on democracy, utilizing its freedoms while fundamentally opposing its principles and seeking to establish alternative governance systems.
Alan B. Krueger's 2007 study found that terrorists were less likely to come from impoverished backgrounds and more likely to have a high-school education compared to the general population.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alan B. Krueger's 2007 study indicated that individuals involved in terrorism were less likely to originate from impoverished backgrounds and more likely to possess at least a high-school education when compared to the general population.
Terrorist attacks are typically meticulously planned and executed, involving prior training, fundraising, and logistical preparation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Contrary to spontaneity, terrorist attacks usually involve extensive planning, including participant training, resource acquisition, and logistical arrangements.
Which of the following entities is NOT mentioned in the source as having used terrorism to achieve objectives?
Answer: Environmental activist groups
Explanation: While the source lists various entities like left-wing organizations, nationalist groups, and governments as having employed terrorism, environmental activist groups are not mentioned in this context.
According to Bruce Hoffman's analysis, what significant shift occurred in the motivation behind terrorist groups between 1980 and 1995?
Answer: An increase in religiously motivated groups
Explanation: Bruce Hoffman's analysis indicated a substantial rise in the prevalence of religiously motivated terrorist groups during the period from 1980 to 1995.
Which of the following is cited as a reason why individuals and groups choose terrorism as a tactic?
Answer: To intimidate populations and gain attention
Explanation: Terrorism is employed as a tactic to intimidate populations, gain media attention, and achieve political objectives through asymmetric means.
According to the study by Paul Gill, John Horgan, and Paige Deckert on "lone wolf" terrorists, what percentage were motivated by religious beliefs?
Answer: 43%
Explanation: Research by Gill, Horgan, and Deckert indicated that religious beliefs served as a motivating factor for 43% of "lone wolf" terrorists studied.
What did Ariel Merari conclude about the psychological profiles of suicide terrorists based on his studies?
Answer: They were unlikely to be psychologically abnormal.
Explanation: Ariel Merari's research suggested that suicide terrorists were generally not psychologically abnormal.
How do jihadist militants view democracy, according to the text?
Answer: They exhibit an ambivalent view, exploiting its values while opposing it ideologically.
Explanation: Jihadist militants hold an ambivalent stance on democracy, utilizing its freedoms while fundamentally opposing its principles and seeking to establish alternative governance systems.
What characteristic is common for groups planning and carrying out deadly terrorist operations like the 9/11 attacks?
Answer: Close-knit groups with efficient telecommunications and social networks.
Explanation: Deadly terrorist operations are often executed by close-knit groups that utilize efficient communication networks and strong social ties among members.
Alan B. Krueger's 2007 study found that terrorists were generally:
Answer: Less likely to come from impoverished backgrounds and more likely to have a high-school education.
Explanation: Alan B. Krueger's 2007 study indicated that individuals involved in terrorism were less likely to originate from impoverished backgrounds and more likely to possess at least a high-school education when compared to the general population.
Between 2000 and 2014, the Global Terrorism Database recorded over 61,000 incidents of non-state terrorism.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Global Terrorism Database recorded over 61,000 incidents of non-state terrorism between 2000 and 2014.
According to the Global Terrorism Index, religious extremism has been the main driver of terrorist attacks globally since 9/11.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Global Terrorism Index indicates that religious extremism, rather than national separatism, has been the primary driver of terrorist attacks worldwide since the events of 9/11.
Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Syria accounted for eighty percent of all deaths from terrorism in the years following 9/11.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the years following 9/11, a significant proportion of global terrorism deaths, approximately eighty percent, were concentrated in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Syria.
A 2015 Southern Poverty Law Center report found that between 2009 and 2015, more people were killed in the U.S. by non-Islamic domestic terrorists than by jihadists.
Answer: True
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, a 2015 report by the Southern Poverty Law Center indicated that non-Islamic domestic terrorists caused more fatalities in the U.S. between 2009 and 2015 than jihadists.
The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 resulted in backlash and instability that enabled the rise of ISIL.
Answer: True
Explanation: The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 created significant backlash and instability, which contributed to the subsequent rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Yuval Harari suggests that modern states may be paradoxically more vulnerable to terrorism than pre-modern states, partly due to their commitment to reducing political violence.
Answer: True
Explanation: Yuval Harari posits that modern states' dedication to minimizing political violence can inadvertently make them more vulnerable to terrorism, as such acts shock the populace and can provoke overreactions.
Research indicates that terrorism is most common in nations with intermediate levels of political freedom, and least common in the most democratic nations.
Answer: True
Explanation: Studies suggest a correlation where terrorism is most prevalent in nations with moderate political freedom, rather than in highly democratic states.
Democracies face a significant dilemma when dealing with homegrown terrorism, balancing the need to restrict civil liberties for security against the preservation of democratic values.
Answer: True
Explanation: The challenge for democracies lies in balancing security measures, which may involve restricting civil liberties, with the fundamental principles of freedom and democratic governance.
Between 1970 and 2010, the Global Terrorism Database identified Shining Path as the most active terrorist group, not the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
Answer: True
Explanation: According to the Global Terrorism Database, Shining Path was the most active group between 1970 and 2010, surpassing the IRA in activity.
Major funding sources for terrorist organizations include state sponsorship, "revolutionary taxes," kidnapping for ransom, and smuggling.
Answer: True
Explanation: Terrorist organizations derive funding from diverse sources, including state sponsorship, extortion (termed "revolutionary taxes"), kidnapping for ransom, and various forms of smuggling.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is mandated to combat the financing of terrorism.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is specifically tasked with combating terrorist financing, not military interventions.
The internet has significantly amplified the spread of terrorist messages, creating new channels and challenges for communication and counter-efforts.
Answer: True
Explanation: The internet has become a crucial tool for disseminating terrorist propaganda and recruitment, presenting novel challenges for global security and counter-terrorism initiatives.
Following the 1997 Luxor massacre, a trend emerged where international tourists became more frequent targets of terrorism, diverging from earlier patterns of targeting political figures.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following incidents like the 1997 Luxor massacre, a trend emerged where international tourists became more frequent targets of terrorism, diverging from earlier patterns of targeting political figures.
Effective counterterrorism involves a multifaceted approach that extends beyond military actions to include intelligence, law enforcement, and socio-political strategies.
Answer: True
Explanation: Effective counterterrorism involves a multifaceted approach that extends beyond military actions to include intelligence, law enforcement, and socio-political strategies.
Terrorism research, or terrorism studies, is an established academic discipline focused on analyzing the origins, prevention, and consequences of terrorism.
Answer: True
Explanation: Terrorism research, or terrorism studies, is an established academic discipline focused on analyzing the origins, prevention, and consequences of terrorism.
In 2018, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan initiated the Code of Conduct Towards Achieving a World Free of Terrorism, adopted by the UN General Assembly.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2018, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan initiated the Code of Conduct Towards Achieving a World Free of Terrorism, adopted by the UN General Assembly.
In the United States, approaches to combating radical Islamism are often categorized into two main schools: one emphasizing military action and democratization, and the other focusing on law enforcement and international cooperation.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the United States, approaches to combating radical Islamism are often categorized into two main schools: one emphasizing military action and democratization, and the other focusing on law enforcement and international cooperation.
The U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual prioritizes securing the civilian population over solely destroying the enemy force.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Counterinsurgency Field Manual emphasizes that securing the civilian population is a higher priority than simply eliminating enemy forces, recognizing the importance of winning local support.
According to a study by Jones and Libicki (2008), conversion to nonviolent political actions was the most common way terrorist groups were terminated, followed by routine policing.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Jones and Libicki study found that terrorist groups most frequently ended through negotiation and conversion to nonviolent political action, with military force being a less common termination method.
The Global Terrorism Database (GTD) and the MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base are prominent examples of publicly accessible databases for terrorism-related incidents.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Global Terrorism Database (GTD) and the MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base are prominent examples of publicly accessible databases for terrorism-related incidents.
The Global Terrorism Index provides an annual overview of global terrorism trends and patterns, not a detailed analysis of military counterterrorism strategies.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Global Terrorism Index provides an annual overview of global terrorism trends and patterns, not a detailed analysis of military counterterrorism strategies.
According to the Global Terrorism Database, approximately how many incidents of non-state terrorism occurred between 2000 and 2014?
Answer: Over 61,000
Explanation: The Global Terrorism Database recorded over 61,000 incidents of non-state terrorism between 2000 and 2014.
What has the Global Terrorism Index identified as the main driver of terrorist attacks globally since 9/11?
Answer: Religious extremism
Explanation: The Global Terrorism Index indicates that religious extremism, rather than national separatism, has been the primary driver of terrorist attacks worldwide since the events of 9/11.
Which five countries accounted for eighty percent of all deaths from terrorism in the years following 9/11?
Answer: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Syria
Explanation: In the years following 9/11, a significant proportion of global terrorism deaths, approximately eighty percent, were concentrated in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Syria.
What did the Southern Poverty Law Center report regarding domestic terrorism in the United States between 2009 and 2015?
Answer: Non-Islamic domestic terrorists killed more people than jihadists.
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, a 2015 report by the Southern Poverty Law Center indicated that non-Islamic domestic terrorists caused more fatalities in the U.S. between 2009 and 2015 than jihadists.
How did the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 relate to the rise of ISIL?
Answer: It created backlash and instability that enabled ISIL's rise.
Explanation: The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 created significant backlash and instability, which contributed to the subsequent rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
According to Yuval Harari, why are modern states paradoxically more vulnerable to terrorism than pre-modern states?
Answer: Commitment to reducing political violence
Explanation: Yuval Harari posits that modern states' dedication to minimizing political violence can inadvertently make them more vulnerable to terrorism, as such acts shock the populace and can provoke overreactions.
Research indicates that terrorism is most common in nations with:
Answer: Intermediate levels of political freedom
Explanation: Studies suggest a correlation where terrorism is most prevalent in nations with moderate political freedom, rather than in highly democratic states.
What dilemma do democracies face when dealing with homegrown terrorism?
Answer: Balancing civil liberties with appearing effective against terrorism.
Explanation: The challenge for democracies lies in balancing security measures, which may involve restricting civil liberties, with the fundamental principles of freedom and democratic governance.
According to the Global Terrorism Database, which group was the most active terrorist organization between 1970 and 2010?
Answer: Shining Path
Explanation: According to the Global Terrorism Database, Shining Path was the most active group between 1970 and 2010, surpassing the IRA in activity.
According to a study by Jones and Libicki (2008), what was the most common way terrorist groups ended?
Answer: Conversion to nonviolent political actions
Explanation: The Jones and Libicki study found that terrorist groups most frequently ended through negotiation and conversion to nonviolent political action, with military force being a less common termination method.
What does the U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual suggest as a priority in counterinsurgency operations?
Answer: Securing the civilian population
Explanation: The Counterinsurgency Field Manual emphasizes that securing the civilian population is a higher priority than simply eliminating enemy forces, recognizing the importance of winning local support.
How has the internet impacted the spread of terrorist messages?
Answer: It has created a new and efficient channel for dissemination.
Explanation: The internet has become a crucial tool for disseminating terrorist propaganda and recruitment, presenting novel challenges for global security and counter-terrorism initiatives.
The designation of groups as "freedom fighters" or "terrorists" can shift over time and depending on political alliances and perspectives.
Answer: True
Explanation: The labels "freedom fighter" and "terrorist" are not static and can change based on evolving political contexts and alliances, illustrating the subjective nature of such classifications.
The strategic targeting of national symbols by terrorists serves to maximize media attention and influence public opinion, rather than for infrastructural development.
Answer: True
Explanation: The strategic targeting of national symbols by terrorists serves to maximize media attention and influence public opinion, rather than for infrastructural development.
Walter Lacquer wrote that terrorism was "always, to a large extent, about public relations and propaganda."
Answer: True
Explanation: Walter Lacquer emphasized the significant role of public relations and propaganda in terrorism, noting its strategic use for achieving objectives.
Margaret Thatcher famously stated that "publicity" was the oxygen of terrorism.
Answer: True
Explanation: Margaret Thatcher's well-known assertion was that "publicity" serves as the oxygen for terrorism, highlighting the media's critical role.
The quote "oxygen of terrorism," attributed to Margaret Thatcher, highlights the critical role of media publicity in sustaining terrorist activities.
Answer: True
Explanation: Margaret Thatcher's statement "oxygen of terrorism" refers to the vital role of media attention and publicity in enabling terrorist groups to thrive and disseminate their message.
The aphorism "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" illustrates the subjective and context-dependent nature of labeling individuals or groups as terrorists.
Answer: True
Explanation: This common saying highlights how perceptions of legitimacy and sympathy influence whether an actor is labeled a "terrorist" or a "freedom fighter," underscoring the lack of universal agreement.
Bruce Hoffman argues that "terrorism" is inherently a pejorative term, frequently used to condemn opponents, and its application is often subjective, influenced by sympathy towards the victim or perpetrator.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bruce Hoffman argues that "terrorism" is inherently a pejorative term, frequently used to condemn opponents, and its application is often subjective, influenced by sympathy towards the victim or perpetrator.
The term "terrorism" is frequently used pejoratively by political groups to denounce opponents, rather than solely descriptively.
Answer: True
Explanation: Political groups often employ the term "terrorism" pejoratively to stigmatize adversaries, demonstrating its use beyond neutral description.
What did Walter Lacquer emphasize about terrorism in relation to public perception?
Answer: Terrorism is largely about public relations and propaganda.
Explanation: Walter Lacquer emphasized the significant role of public relations and propaganda in terrorism, noting its strategic use for achieving objectives.
Margaret Thatcher famously described publicity as what in relation to terrorism?
Answer: The oxygen of terrorism
Explanation: Margaret Thatcher's well-known assertion was that "publicity" serves as the oxygen for terrorism, highlighting the media's critical role.
The aphorism "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" best illustrates:
Answer: The subjective nature of labeling based on perspective and sympathy.
Explanation: This common saying highlights how perceptions of legitimacy and sympathy influence whether an actor is labeled a "terrorist" or a "freedom fighter," underscoring the lack of universal agreement.