Communist terrorism
Communist terrorism is terrorism perpetrated by individuals or groups which adhere to communism and ideologies related to it, such as Marxism–Leninism, Maoism, and Trotskyism. Historically, communist terrorism has sometimes taken the form of state-sponsored terrorism, supported by communist nations such as the Soviet Union,[1][2] China,[2] North Korea[2] and Kampuchea.[3] In addition, non-state actors such as the Red Brigades, the Front Line and the Red Army Faction have also engaged in communist terrorism.[4][5] These groups hope to inspire the masses to rise up and start a revolution to overthrow existing political and economic systems.[6] This form of terrorism can sometimes be called red terrorism or left-wing terrorism.[7]
The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union have been credited with leading to a notable decline in this form of terrorism.[8]
History[edit]
In the 1930s, the term "communist terrorism" was used by the Nazi Party in Germany as part of a propaganda campaign to spread fear of communism. The Nazis blamed communist terrorism for the Reichstag fire, which they used as an excuse to push through legislation removing personal freedom from German citizens.[9][10] In the 1940s and 1950s, various Southeast Asian countries, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, witnessed the rise of communist groups engaging in terrorism. John Slocum claimed that communists in present-day Malaysia used terrorism to draw attention to their ideological beliefs,[11] but Phillip Deery countered that the Malaysian insurgents were called communist terrorists only as part of a propaganda campaign.[12]
In the 1960s, the Sino–Soviet split (between two communist states) led to a marked increase in terrorist activity in the region.[13] That decade also saw various terrorist groups commencing operations in Europe, Japan, and the Americas. Yonah Alexander deemed these groups Fighting Communist Organizations (FCOs),[14][15] and says they rose out of the student union movement protesting against the Vietnam War. In Western Europe, these groups' actions were known as Euroterrorism.[16] The founders of FCOs argued that violence was necessary to achieve their goals, and that peaceful protest was both ineffective and insufficient to attain them.[17][18] In the 1970s, there were an estimated 50 Marxist or Leninist groups operating in Turkey, and an estimated 225 groups operating in Italy. Groups also began operations in Ireland and the United Kingdom.[19] These groups were deemed a major threat by NATO and the Italian, German, and British governments.[20] Communist terrorism did not enjoy full support from all ideologically sympathetic groups. The Italian Communist Party, for example, condemned such activity.[21]
Examples[edit]
Bulgaria[edit]
The St Nedelya Church assault on 16 April 1925 was committed by a group from the Bulgarian Communist Party (BCP). They blew up the roof of the St Nedelya Church in Sofia, Bulgaria. 150 people were killed and around 500 were injured.
