Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. Terrorism is not just something that developed during the 1900s. Throughout modern history, terrorism has been happening around the world. During the 18th century, Russia catapulted corpses infected with the plague into positions held by Sweden. This was one of the earliest uses of biological agents as a weapon of terrorism. Smallpox has been used on several occasions as a biological weapon. During the French and Indian War of 1754, British troops provided blankets that had been infected with smallpox to the American Indians. Native Americans defending Fort Carillon sustained epidemic injures of smallpox which directly contributed to the loss of the fort to the English. During the 19th century, when President Lincoln and 12 other public officials were assassinated, these were acts of terrorism connected to the Civil War. Ku Klux Klan groups began acts of terrorism against African Americans that included the use of devices, arson, bombings, and murder. Terrorist incidents have been going on in U.S. for many years. However, the incidence and severity increased during the 1900s. Events of past have shown that no place is immune from the potential of a terrorist attack. Incidents have occurs in cities of all sizes, as well as in rural America. There were incidents in New York (LaGuardia Airport, and World Trade Center), Georgia (1996 Olympics), Oklahoma City (Oklahoma City Federal Building), and in Alabama (New Women Abortion Clinic). Because of the global concern about terrorism, the U.S. war on terrorism is justified. Terrorism kills innocent people, hurts the economy, and threatens the globe with biochemical warfare. .
Terrorism has taken a toll on innocent lives, especially since September 11.
