“THE ADVENT OF WHAT IS CONSIDERED MODERN, INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM OCCURRED ON JULY 22, 1968.” In considering the changing nature of terrorism from 1879 to 2005, How far can the internationalisation of terrorism that began on the 22nd July 1968 be regarded as the key turning point?

The 1968 hijacking proved to be significant as a turning point as it laid a framework for the internationalisation of terrorism as its aims and objectives shifted beyond its borders. The operation being the first to investigate fear through the trade of hostages, served as a catalyst for terrorist actions to be involved on an international scale. Through the immense media generated from the terrorist attack as well as the new form of approach as Zehdi Habib stated the “hijacking aroused the consciousness of the world and awakened the media and world opinion much more- and more efficiently…” The 1968 redefinition of a legitimate target and the implementation of their objectives beyond their frontiers could be seen as “the advent of what is considered Modern international terrorism” as depicted by Hoffman. However other significant terrorist groups did massively contribute to the development of terrorism such as Anarchist through the adoption of the principle “propaganda by deeds” in carrying out their terrorist acts in the mid-80s, the IRA which made excellent use of martyrdom to attract foreign aid and generate diaspora support, likewise the suffragette movement. Nevertheless the 1968 hijacking targets of civilians was a significant turning point in the nature of terrorism.
The success of propaganda by deeds in awakening popular consciousness was well use by the anarchist who demonstrated their needs in a more physical manner which was perfect in raising awareness in people. That which wasn’t effective through written or oral propaganda. The anarchist movement advocated for a considerable degree of individual autonomy, which necessitated “moving out of the sphere of legality in order to act in that of illegality” as stated by Hoffman. The Most prominent anarchist movement in France orchestrated a series of uprisings to legitimate their aims through the manifestation of the principle of propaganda by deeds. The use of guerrilla tactics such as assassinations and bombings showed a revolution in the nature of terrorism in the late nineteen century. More so they made effective use of the improvement in weaponry during the period. This was evident, Through the use of dynamite in carrying out bombing attack against the Paris stock exchange in 1886 which was successful in raising public opinion. In addition to the prior bombings, Ravachol’s explosion of the house of Judge Benoit was considered as the “first major act of terrorism” as depicted by Hoffman. Furthermore the actions of Ravachol could be seen as significant in the revolution of terrorism as it showed their fanaticism in revolutionising their current society as their deaths would symbolise “the cry of a whole class that demands its rights and will soon add acts to words”. Thus symbolising the effectiveness of such acts of violence in carrying out propaganda by deeds. However, the 1968 hijacking proved to be significant in the sense that despite opening new horizons for terrorist actions on a grand scale, it widened the targets of the terrorist as compared to selective nature of targets carried out by the anarchist, they targeted civilians with little to do with the issue to create shock and alarm beyond their borders, thus highlighting the internationalisation of terror.
More so, the success of the IRA in using Martyrdom and Guerrilla tactics as well as the revising of the military structure further showed the internationalisation of its methods beyond its territories in the late 20th century. Given that the revolutionaries were trying to carry their revolution in a war period, as well as the fact of lack of weaponry and support, they effectively made use of Guerrilla tactics such as organised strikes on British offices and cities with British officials. This is evident as these techniques where used by other ethno-nationalist revolutionaries such as the Irgun’s and the Lohamei in their struggle for freedom from imperial British rule. This was an after effect of the IRA’s use of guerrilla tactics against British dominance. More so, the FLN use of bombing propaganda in their urban insurrections in fighting French rule in Algeria also showed the effectiveness of Guerrilla tactics as showed by the IRA in obtaining political success, thus highlighting the international aspiration of the IRA. In addition the Jewish group, operating in Palestine, Irgun’s effective use of Guerrilla tactics in their campaigns against the British as well as the fact they sought mostly for international awareness, proves the changes caused by the IRA. Furthermore, the IRA not going for terrorist tactics such as assassinations but instead trying to win external political support to pressurise the British government into change saw an improvement in the nature of terrorism. This is evident in the political and financial support of the Americans for the Irish nationalists. British Prime Minister George Lloyd was pressured by the American government into settling peace terms with the IRA due to the intervention of the Diaspora, that is Irish nationals oversees, precisely in America. This was again another after effect of the large international awareness the IRA gained in their revolution. On one hand it can be argued that, the events of the Easter Risings in 1916 gave more insights to the revolutionaries about the need for a revision of their military strategy. The event which was known to be a decisive failure was influenced by their desire for home rule and thus the introduction of martyrdom was seen effective to gain support needed either public or international for the success of the revolution. It is true that the events of the Easter risings led to a sustainable amount of dead revolutionaries, that is precisely 60 rebels, but however it had an incredible effect by creating martyrs which attracted sufficient amount of public support as it raised sympathy and empathy for the movement as well as international support. This is evident in the execution of the James Connolly and Patrick Pearse soon after the evets of the Easter rising. The revolutionaries did know the repercussions of their uprising during Easter, nevertheless this led to an increase in support for the Irish nationalist. Moreover, the harsh attitudes of the British in response to the risings further gave more credit and support to the movement through their various executions of Irish revolutionaries such as James Connolly. In effect, the Irish nationalists did internationalise their methods thus revolutionising the nature of terrorism as it didn’t lay emphasis on its military power but showed how the death of revolutionaries could easily attract public opinion and discredit the opposing government. The events of the Easter rising could be mirrored in Yasser Arafat’s speech made at the UN “For the justice of the cause determines the right to struggle”.