Transcript Chapter #1: Introduction

Chapter #1: Introduction
What is an Assassination?
Assassinations
Definition:
The Plotted murder of a
political leader or an
important figure; motive or
purpose may not always be
clear.
If someone tried to kill the
following, would they be
assassinations?
The Pope?
Head of school board?
Teacher?
Principal?
Mailman?
Was the murder of John Lennon
an assassination?
Was the murder of John Lennon
an assassination?
•Musician
Was the murder of John Lennon
an assassination?
•Musician
•Anti-war activist
Was the murder of John Lennon
an assassination?
•Musician
•Anti-war activist
•Icon of 60’s &
70’s
•Ugly act, not just for the murder aspect,
but b/c it denies every citizen except the
assassin the right to make her/his decision
about the victim’s policies, programs, etc.
The assassin alone, decides these
questions for the entire country.
Assassinations destroy much more than
one person. They may destroy hopes &
dreams of people. Alters history.
Historical Background
Moslem group
led by Hasan
bin Sabbah.
“Old Man of
the Mountain”
Historical Background (cont.)
Height of power 11th –13th Centuries
 Started as intra-moslem fight.
Persia-area. Eventually started
fighting Crusaders
Targeted Leaders.
Disciples were “shown” paradise and
promised eternal life in paradise if
they died in a jihad, or holy war,
defending their religion.
Use of drugs
Evolution of word
“Assassin”
Hashashins
Evolution of word
“Assassin”
HashashinsAshashin
Evolution of word
“Assassin”
HashashinsAshashinAssassin
The FIVE Categories of Assassinations
By one political elite to replace
another without change to basic system.
ie. Coups in Latin America
To terrorize and destroy legitimacy of
elite to change basic foundation of
society. ie. Russian Revolution
FIVE Categories (cont)
By government in order to stay in
power. Suppress political challenges.
ie. Hitler, Russia & China in Purges.
To draw attention to cause or as use
as propaganda tool. ie.Frances
Ferdinand in Serbia
Unconnected to rational political
goal
Characteristics of the typical
AMERICAN assassin
Male or Female?
Characteristics of the typical
AMERICAN assassin
Male
Characteristics of American Assassin (cont.)
•Male
Race?
Characteristics of American Assassin (cont.)
•Male
WHITE
Characteristics of American Assassin (cont.)
•Male
•White
Age?
18- 21? 20-something?
30-something? Elderly?
Characteristics of American Assassin (cont.)
•Male
•White
•Mid-20s
Mid 20s
Characteristics of American Assassin (cont.)
•Male
•White
•Mid-20s
Place in the family?
Oldest? Youngest? Middle
Child? Only Child?
Characteristics of American Assassin (cont.)
•Male
•White
•Mid-20s
•Youngest/Only
Youngest
or
Only Child?
Characteristics of American Assassin (cont.)
•Male
•White
•Mid-20s
•Youngest/Only
Attack from distance or
close range?
Characteristics of American Assassin (cont.)
•Male
•White
close range
•Mid-20s
•Youngest/Only
•Close range
Attack on JFK was the
exception
Characteristics of American Assassin (cont.)
•Male
•White
•Mid-20s
•Youngest/Only
•Close range
Misc. Characteristics
Loners
Drifters
Not too well educated.
Disregard for personal safety;
Willing to die for cause.
 Difficulty holding job
Friends, if any, on fringe of
society
Feel their act is justified. Feel
very little remorse or sorrow for
victim.
 Either they or parents are
immigrants
Public Reaction to attack
If successful- Prolonged grief for
family of victim. Great chance
Assassin will die.
If unsuccessful- Public forgets
quickly, and willing to look at
evidence of mental illness on part of
assassin
Why is the US so violent?
Media (movies, news, toys, computer
games, news willing to give publicity)
Drugs
Frontier/“Wild West”/Vigilante Tradition
Too Much Freedom?
Too Much ethnic diversity?
2nd Amendment
“… the right of the people to keep and bear
arms shall not be infringed.”
Easy access to guns