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28 September 2005 Volume 2, Issue 3 I’ve just attended the First European Conference on World and Global History in Leipzig, and had the pleasure of meeting world history teachers from around Europe. I also learned a good deal about how teachers-- AP world history teachers in the USA as well as their international colleagues—work at finding ways to make connections between the world their students know and the history they are learning.
If you’ve received this issue of World History To Go from a friend, please make sure to subscribe yourself via our website. To make sure you don’t miss future issues (free every two weeks during the school year) and special offers on world history resources, as well as free articles and other items. Terrorism in Ancient GreeceThe Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote in his Politics of the overthrow of tyranny: 
Aristotle, Plato and other ancient writers were part of a tradition that viewed despotism as the worst form of government and glorified those who spilled the blood of a tyrant. In addition to killing their kings, the ancient Greeks were adept in the use of flamethrowers, poison gases, incendiary bombs, and biological attacks. Hercules, the hero of Greek mythology, invented the first biological weapon described in literature when he dipped his arrows in serpent venom. From the Introduction to Berkshire’s Patterns of Global Terrorism, by Anna Sabsteanski. From Terrorist to Legitimate Government
Recent examples include the African National Congress in South Africa, the Irgun in Israel, the PLO in Palestine, the Communist Party in Vietnam, and the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya. The African National Congress is a particularly illuminating example. The party was founded in 1912 to fight for rights for indigenous South Africans. Through alliances with other groups it expanded its following over the years and in the 1950s formed the core of resistance to apartheid and white rule. An initial policy of non-violent resistance gave way to violent protest and assaults in the 1960s in response to violent government repression. The ANC was banned by the white government and leaders killed and imprisoned. As apartheid ended in 1990, the ban was lifted and it became the elected ruling party of South Africa in 1994. Its leader, Nelson Mandela (former imprisoned terrorist; today a Nobel peace prize winner), became President of South Africa. Al-QaedaInside the Berkshire Encyclopedia:
The encyclopedia contains many articles that deal with terrorism, including multiple articles on warfare and tactics and an article on Apartheid in South Africa. Also known as The Base and the Usama Bin Ladin Organization, Al-Qaeda is the best-known terrorist organization in the world today. It is also the most-widespread, launching attacks in Asia, Europe, North America and Africa in recent years. It is also the most deadly. Since 1995 it has been responsible for 3533 deaths and 8859 injuries. Al-Qaeda was established by Usama Bin Ladin in 1988 with Arabs who fought in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union. Its goal now is to unite Muslims to fight the United States as a means of defeating Israel, overthrowing regimes it deems “non-Islamic,” and expelling Westerners and non-Muslims from Muslim countries. Al-Qaeda is most accurately described as a network of terrorists associated with other Sunni Islam extremists. Its tactics include vehicle bombs, infantry assaults, kidnappings, targeted shootings, bombings, and beheadings. In addition to the 9/11 attacks in the United States it launched or was behind major attacks in Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Morocco, Indonesia, Turkey, Kuwait, Tunisia, Yemen, Spain, and Great Britain. Al-Qaeda is financed by front businesses, donations from supporters, and illicitly siphons funds from donations to Muslim charitable organizations. U.S. and international efforts to capture and kill Al-Qaeda members and leaders and to block funding have hampered the group’s ability to function and have stopped its ability to mount attacks and to encourage others organizations to do so. Adapted from Berkshire’s Patterns of Global Terrorism, by Anna Sabsteanski, forthcoming this fall. 
Context ContestWe often hear that students come to world history without knowing much of anything about it, and of course teachers asked to teach it for the first time also struggle with the breadth of the subject. The Berkshire Encyclopedia of World History provides a source for pretty much everything you need to know, as well as Professor David Christian’s 60-page overview of world history, This Fleeting World, designed to be read in a couple of evenings. Check out our World History and HCI gear for 2005!
 But it takes a while to read—or even thoroughly explore—a five-volume encyclopedia. We’re looking for tips and tricks for giving students a quick handle on human history. (There is, for example, the use of a piece of string or even walking a track to show how brief human history is in the course of the whole of earth’s existence.) Is there something you have students read, or watch, or listen to? Do you tell them a story, or give them a particular chart or timeline? And if you haven’t found a magic bullet that will quickly give them a handle on the overall timeframes and major trends, can you tell us what you wish you had available? How about a virtual ride that toured the whole of history, or a comic book? The most creative answer—whether it’s real or imagined—will be featured in an issue of World History To Go at the beginning of January and the winning teacher will receive a free personal set of the Berkshire Encyclopedia of World History (or, if they already have it, the Berkshire Encyclopedia of World Sport or another Berkshire publication). With warm regards, |
The most common form of terrorism throughout history has been that carried out by a group to overthrow what they consider an illegitimate or oppressive government. These groups and their supporters see themselves as freedom fighters, not as terrorists. And, if they are victorious they often become the new rulers and form a new government.
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