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Terrorism facts for kids

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National Park Service 9-11 Statue of Liberty and WTC fire
September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack on the New York World Trade Center

Terrorism is when people use fear and violence to scare societies or governments. Different groups might use terrorism to try and reach their goals. People who do these acts are called terrorists.

It can be hard to explain terrorism. There is no single official definition for it around the world. Most definitions say that terrorism involves violent acts meant to create fear. These acts might be done for religious, political, or idea-based reasons. They often target regular people, not soldiers.

Sometimes, the same group might be called "freedom fighters" by their supporters. But their opponents might call them "terrorists." The word 'terrorism' is often used by countries to criticize groups they don't agree with. Also, sometimes countries themselves can use terror tactics. This is called state terrorism.

One way terrorism is used is by attacking people who are not fighting. This is done to get attention for a group, a cause, or a person.

What is Terrorism?

Terrorism is about using violence to make people afraid. The goal is to force changes in society or government. Terrorists want to create a lot of fear. This fear is meant to make people or leaders do what the terrorists want.

Why Do People Use Terrorism?

Groups use terrorism for many reasons. They might have strong political beliefs. This means they want to change how a country is run. They might also have religious reasons. Some groups have certain ideas they believe in very strongly. They use violence to make their ideas known and to try to get others to agree with them.

Different Views on Terrorism

It's not always easy to agree on what terrorism is. What one person calls terrorism, another might call fighting for freedom. This happens because people have different opinions. A group fighting against a government might see themselves as heroes. But the government might see them as dangerous terrorists. This shows how complicated the word "terrorism" can be.

See also

In Spanish: Terrorismo para niños

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