Terrorism : Terrorism And Terrorism

From the overthrowing of the Russian Tsar to the exile of the Nationalists, the world has been in a state where radical movements have been the main focus of citizens, even in democratic societies. The October Crisis was one of these extraordinary events that had occurred. It was a period of international and national revolutionary movements that used violent acts against constitutional measures. The 1970 October Crisis was a pivotal moment that had an undeniable and lasting impact on Canadians as it revealed the wisdom of Trudeau’s decision to enact the War Measures Act, demonstrated that the FLQ (a left-winged terrorist organization) was not a good representative of the French-Canadians, and it

In October 1970, Canada faced a pressing terrorist attack in Montreal, Quebec by a group known as the Front de Liberation du Quebec, or the FLQ for short. The group committed multiple attacks starting in 1963 that slowly escalated until the October Crisis, where they kidnapped two government officials and proceeded to murder one of them. The Canadian government responded harshly and rapidly. The prime minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau, issued the War Measures Act which along with various things allowed the police and military full reign to arrest people and hold them with no explanation. The Canadian population was highly supportive of the government’s action believing that this extreme state repression would bring a finish to the October

In the midst of the October Crisis Pierre Trudeau handled the time of terrorism well. In this essay one will see how Trudeau handled the crisis excellently by examining the first domestic use of the War Measures Act which led to improvements on the Act, ensuring that Quebec did not become its own independent country, and how Canada stood behind and supported Quebec and Pierre Trudeau through the acts of violence led by the FLQ.

Ever since 9/11 when both World Trade Center buildings were attacked by an Islamic Group, attacks by Islamic Terrorist on U.S. soil have been less of a threat than Domestic Terrorists. Domestic Terrorism has been shown these passed for years but yet again most of these cases have not been classified as acts of Domestic Terrorism they most likely fall into the category. Now the definition of Domestic Terrorism is basically "the committing of terrorist acts in the perpetrator 's own country against their fellow citizens". Now personally I don 't know how our government is working with these popular cases like Charlottesville, Las Vegas, and a new that just happened recently actually two but I 'll just say one, the New York attack that

The FLQ’s belief in overcoming the status quo by force led to unquestionable and unnecessary violence in Quebec which maimed and killed, but provided no logical progression in their motives. The FLQ were most effective in using uncalculated, small bombings to instill a sense of prolonged terror into communities. This fear tactic was most apparent in the early formation of the group in the early 1960’s, where materials were easy to steal and affordable. Their bombing campaign was most abundant as a fear tactic in labour disputes, it being stated, “A bomb was place in a Place d’Armes office building in Montreal… During November FLQ bombs were placed at the Domtar Company, Lord and Company, Standard Structural Steel, Eaton’s Department Store and government liquor stores” (Ross, 1995). These tactics resembled guerilla warfare tactics, and presented a dangerous falsity that they were fighting for the oppressed. It became clear that these bombings were terroristic acts and an assault on the safety and wellbeing of all Canadians, regardless of association or ethnicity. Ross later goes on to state a dastardlier proclamation, “The FLQ had received help from the Cuban government” (Ross, 1995). Turning much of the

The FLQ had many intellectual ideas that forced Trudeau to make the necessary actions towards the crisis. There were three intentions of the FLQ kidnappings of James Cross and Pierre Laporte. The FLQ wanted to obtain the release of 23 FLQ members jailed for bombings and other violent offences. The group wanted to cause confusion, fear and gain publicity and sympathy for their aims of having Quebec become an independent state, and their third motive was to trigger insurrection and capitulation. (Tetley, p. 39) These intentions of the FLQ caused harm and chaos to the government and the public, and

Between 1960's to present day terrorism has occurred many times in Canada. To start off, specifically in the 1960's when Quebec was holding a Quiet Revolution. This was a social change happening in Quebec. To continue, during this time president of France Charles de Gaulle came to Montreal Quebec where he would say a speech effecting Canada forever. " Vive le Quebec Libre" was the ending statement to his speech, this statement would be scribbled on the wall on the site of the very first bomb of the FLQ. The FLQ was a group of was a separatists in Quebec. They believed in using weapons and violence to receive there demands and were responsible for numerous bombings in Quebec during the 1960's. Finally, the FLQ was responsible for the worst crisis since World War Two which was the October Crisis. This horrifying event was lead by the

People participated in acts of terrorism to justify their views on Québec sovereignty. The FLQ, which stands for

This group fought “to achieve Quebec independence by resorting to terrorism, if necessary” (Historica). Trudeau, as the Prime Minister at this time, went through very difficult times during this time period. Canada was splitting itself apart before his eyes, an action he would not tolerate. Despite the measures he had to take, Trudeau managed to bring the country together with the Official Language Act, where students in school were expected to learn French. This gave the French the significance they wanted, and liberated the

Since the Confederation of Canada until today, the province of Quebec has always wanted become its own nation by separating from Canada. As a result, Canada’s scariest ever terrorist group, the Front de Libération de Quebec (FLQ), wrote the darkest chapter in Canadian history, The October Crisis. To end the terror, Canadian Prime Minister, Trudeau, was forced to invoke the War Measures Act (WMA) during his term in 1970 which was flawed with disapproval and controversy since it was the first time the Act was used during peacetime. However, despite the criticism, his decision to invoke the War Measures Act was reasonable because of the fear presented by the FLQ, the public and governmental demands, and the end result of the October Crisis.

Terror has become a common feeling in today’s world. Music concerts and churches have become targets for terrorist activity. People are now thinking twice about their safety before leave home. In the book Terror In The Mind Of God by Mark Juergensmeyer, he starts off talking about different terror acts and how it has changed how he views the world. He says, "On a different day, at a different time, perhaps in a different bus, one of the bodies torn to shreds by any of these terrorist acts could have been yours or mine" (Juergensmeyer p. 3). He goes on to talk about how he feels betrayed that his "personal security and order that is usually a basic assumption of public life cannot in fact be taken for granted in a world where terrorist acts exit" (Juergensmeyer 3). Terrorism is a huge concern for Americans today. We hear on the news about church shootings and attacks on people attending an outdoor concert. We begin to feel unsafe going out in public and enjoying basic activities.

In his book, The October Crisis: An Insider’s View, William Tetley specifically focuses on the FLQ as an actor for independence, while ignoring the variety of other goals within the FLQ manifesto. Tetley begins with an evaluation, stating that the ultimate goal of both the 1963 and 1970 FLQ was a separate Quebec. Tetley proposes that the FLQ was less interested in the minor grievances of the Quebec society, but instead focused on a larger goal. Tetley cites FLQ member Pierre Schinder, who believed that “in Canada, democracy never existed.” This statement supports Pelletier’s proposal that extremists ignore the political foundation of Canada. However, Tetley critiques Schinder for his admiration of Louis Joseph Papineau, a Quebec patriot, due to the fact that Papineau “opposed the use of force by his followers.” Therefore, Tetley believes the democracy that the FLQ targeted is in itself a greater Canadian democracy, which has managed to unify the rest of the nation. This differs from Cook’s understanding, because it relies on the existence of a larger, culturally diverse group who understands itself as Canadian, instead of an individual who believes in liberalism and the use of that liberalism within political institutions. According to Tetley, the entire Canadian society was targeted by the FLQ due to its existence within the democratic framework, a symbol of English domination in Quebec. However, as Granatstein cited, the “Rally for Canada” and speaking against the

Active since 1963, the Front de Liberation du Quebec’s (FLQ) violent actions in October 1970 cost Canadians citizens their rights and freedoms in an attempt to establish Quebec as a separate nation. Prior to Canada becoming a nation and to this date, Quebec has engaged in a tense relationship with English Canada and harbours longstanding resentments over language, religion and multiculturalism. Throughout the 1960’s, the province underwent profound change during the Quiet Revolution and Quebec nationalism soared. During this time, the FLQ organized several bombings and riots. The culmination of the FLQ’s actions in 1970 is referred to as the “October Crisis” which translated into the kidnapping of British Trade Commissioner James Cross and the murder of Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte. The October Crisis also represents Canada’s only encounter with domestic terrorism and the third time the War Measures Act was invoked. The decision to invoke the War Measures Act was a controversial one made by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa since it imposed national martial law. Upon examination of the FLQ’s actions during the October Crisis, the response from the federal government and the impact on Quebec nationalism and the rest of Canada, it is apparent that the government handled the October Crisis tactfully and was correct to invoke the War Measures Act.

Terror arose in Quebec, 1970, when the kidnapping of James Cross by the Front de libération du Québec caused the October Crisis. It further strained the relationship between Quebec and the rest of Canada. The majority of those outside of Quebec disregarded the crisis despite the panic that arose in Quebec. Even when Quebec's Minister of Labour was assassinated, justice was not achieved. Isolating Québec was the Front de libération du Québec's main goal causing half of Quebec's population to want to be separate from Canada. However, he first hints of strain caused by the October crisis appeared when those who were not Québécois ignored the crisis' importance.

According to Gilbert H. Muller in The Age of Terror, the new world has become a very dangerous place on behalf of terrorists. Around the world, people have different perspectives on foreign affairs, politics, and religion. Asking a Christian on their views of terrorism, they would agree that it is the most horrible thing to happen to anyone. Asking someone who supports terrorism, they would say that nothing is wrong with what is going on. In Phillip B. Heymann’s Terrorism, Freedom, and Security: Winning Without War, terrorism in the United States became a domestic concern for the government and citizens. Terrorist threats and attacks leave people asking questions: Who is to blame for the attacks? Why do they attack? When are they going to attack next?