What is terrorism?

What is terrorism?

• A. Violence dangerous to life that violates federal or state law intended to persuade
• B. A natural disaster
• C. An accidental incident
• D. A peaceful protest

Answer: (A)

Terrorism involves the deliberate use of violence that puts people at risk and breaks the law, with the goal of influencing or coercing governments or populations. The described option captures this combination—the violent act is dangerous to life, it violates legal norms, and it is carried out with the intent to persuade or intimidate others. In contrast, a natural disaster is a hazard arising from natural processes, not a deliberate human act. An accidental incident lacks intentional harm. A peaceful protest is a lawful, nonviolent expression of opinion and does not involve the targeted violence or illegal aims that define terrorism.

Terrorism involves the deliberate use of violence that puts people at risk and breaks the law, with the goal of influencing or coercing governments or populations. The described option captures this combination—the violent act is dangerous to life, it violates legal norms, and it is carried out with the intent to persuade or intimidate others.

In contrast, a natural disaster is a hazard arising from natural processes, not a deliberate human act. An accidental incident lacks intentional harm. A peaceful protest is a lawful, nonviolent expression of opinion and does not involve the targeted violence or illegal aims that define terrorism.