Communist terrorism

Communist terrorism is terrorism perpetrated by individuals or groups which adhere to communism and ideologies related to it, such as Marxism–Leninism, Maoism, and Trotskyism. Historically, communist terrorism has sometimes taken the form of state-sponsored terrorism, supported by communist nations such as the Soviet Union,^[1]^[2] China,^[2] North Korea^[2] and Kampuchea.^[3] In addition, non-state actors such as the Red Brigades, the Front Line and the Red Army Faction have also engaged in communist terrorism.^[4]^[5] These groups hope to inspire the masses to rise up and start a revolution to overthrow existing political and economic systems.^[6] This form of terrorism can sometimes be called red terrorism or left-wing terrorism.^[7]

The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union have been credited with leading to a notable decline in this form of terrorism.^[8]

^ Fleming pp110
^ ^a ^b ^c Chaliand page 197/202
^ Clymer page 107
^ C. J. M. Drake page 19
^ Sloan pp61
^ Yonah ppIX
^ Grzymala-Busse, Anna M. (2002), "CONVINCING THE VOTERS: CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS", Redeeming the Communist Past, Cambridge University Press, pp. 175–226, doi:10.1017/cbo9780511613388.005, ISBN 9780511613388
^ David C. Wills page 219