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It has been suggested that Communist terrorism be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2010.

Left-wing terrorism, sometimes called Marxist-Leninist terrorism or revolutionary terrorism is a tactic used to overthrow capitalism and replace it with Marxist-Leninist or socialist government.

Ideology

Left-wing terrorists see their governments as authoritarian, exploitive and corrupt, and emphasize idealism, pacificism and anti-imperialism. Their ideology is heavily influenced by Marxist and other communist and socialist thought. Narodnaya Volya, a 19th century terrorist group that killed the Russian tsar, and developed the concept of propaganda by the deed is a major influence.

History

Modern left-wing terrorism developed following the political unrest of 1968. In Western Europe, notable groups included the West German Red Army Faction (RAF), the Italian Red Brigades, the French Action Directe (AD), and the Belgian Communist Combatant Cells (CCC). Asian groups included the Japanese Red Army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, although the latter organization later transformed into nationalist terrorist. In Latin America, groups that became actively involved in terrorism in the 1970s and 1980s included the Nicaraguan Sandinistas, the Peruvian Shining Path, and the Columbian 19th of April Movement.

Modern left-wing terrorist groups in the United States developed from remnants of the Weather Underground, the Black Panthers and extremist elements of the Students for a Democratic Society. During the 1980s both the May 19th Communist Organization (M19CO) and the smaller United Freedom Front were active. After 1985, following the dismantling of both groups, there were no confirmed acts of left-wing terrorism by similar groups.

Organizations

• Red Army Faction (RAF)
• Red Brigades
• Action Directe (AD)
• Communist Combatant Cells (CCC)
• Japanese Red Army
• Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
• Shining Path
• FARC
• 19th of April Movement

Notes

1. ^ Aubrey, pp. 44-45
2. ^ Moghadam, p.56
3. "Trial of the Czar's Assassins". Wanganui Herald. Vol. XV, no. 4132. United Press Association. 7 May 1881. p. 2.
4. Moghadam, p. 50
5. Smith, pp. 24-25

References

• Aubrey, Stefan M. The new dimension of international terrorism. Zurich: vdf Hochschulverlag AG, 2004. ISBN 3728129496
• Moghadam, Assaf. The roots of terrorism. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2006. ISBN 0791083071
• Smith, Brent L. Terrorism in America: pipe bombs and pipe dreams. Albany: SUNY Press, 1994 ISBN 0791417603

• Articles to be merged from November 2010
• Terrorism by form