The Red Army faction (RAF), known as a far left militant group, was one of West Germany’s most prominent terrorist figures. After the Second World War, West Germany’s political system resulted in the imperialistic domination of economic and social hierarchy. With communist ideals, the RAF set out to revolutionise the state’s fascist social structure in a series of violent ordeals. From its forming in 1970 to its disbandment in 1998, the RAF was a crucial symbol for the new left, and an important significance in European conflict.
The origins of the RAF date back to the middle of the Cold War 1970, during the student anti-Vietnam war movement. West Germany, or Modell Deutschland as an anti-communist state, was set up to threaten the Soviet …show more content…
Andreas Baader and Gudrun Ensslin (who set fire to a department store in protest of the Vietnam war) as well as Ulrike Meinhof were known as the founders of the Far Left group. Travelling to the Middle East, the RAF received military support from the group Al Fatah , belonging to the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation). Arriving back in Germany, its first attacks in support of the anti-Vietnam struggle, were made to target organisations (e.g banks) politically involved with the U.S and West Germany. Capturing the public’s attention, the RAF became particularly popular among students and leftists. An opinion poll made to the wider public stated that 40% of respondents considered the group’s violence as not criminal, but rather political. Furthermore, thousands of people were later known to carry photographs of RAF members, with many others opening their doors to hiding RAF members. In May 1972, the guerrilla group heightened their violent regime with bombings of locations such as police stations, army bases and right wing presses. 4 American soldiers were killed, with many-including civilians, injured. In retaliation, 130,000 American and West German soldiers carried out raids, and as a result captured many members of the RAF (including leaders). Whilst some accepted these attacks, many others perceived the RAF’s actions as …show more content…
On September 5th 1977, members of the RAF kidnap Hanns-Martin Schleyer, the president of the German industry federation, in order to demand the release of RAF members held in prison. In hopes of increasing pressure on the German government, the Palestinian guerrillas hijack a German plane, though this proves to be ineffective. For 44 days, Germany is caught in a state of tension as the government refuses to relent. With the general public deeply traumatised, many-including common leftists believe the RAF to have crossed the line. In conclusion, the government save all hostages, killing three hijackers. Subsequently, three RAF prisoners commit suicide, with Schleyer found shot dead. Leading up to group’s formal disbandment in 1998, the RAF continued to target German and US government interests, including NATO. Support for the RAF sourced from other urban guerrilla groups such as the West Berlin anarchists of the ‘June 2 Movement’, with financial and logistic support from the Stasi . By 1988, the RAF was known to have killed 34 people in total. Throughout the entire course of the movement, perceiving the RAF as the intellectual roots of extreme leftist violence, the state government operated a highly offensive attack towards any forms of domestic terrorism, warranting the killing and unlawful measures taken against RAF prisoners. Though the attacks did not lead to any major consequence,
The origins of the RAF date back to the middle of the Cold War 1970, during the student anti-Vietnam war movement. West Germany, or Modell Deutschland as an anti-communist state, was set up to threaten the Soviet …show more content…
Andreas Baader and Gudrun Ensslin (who set fire to a department store in protest of the Vietnam war) as well as Ulrike Meinhof were known as the founders of the Far Left group. Travelling to the Middle East, the RAF received military support from the group Al Fatah , belonging to the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation). Arriving back in Germany, its first attacks in support of the anti-Vietnam struggle, were made to target organisations (e.g banks) politically involved with the U.S and West Germany. Capturing the public’s attention, the RAF became particularly popular among students and leftists. An opinion poll made to the wider public stated that 40% of respondents considered the group’s violence as not criminal, but rather political. Furthermore, thousands of people were later known to carry photographs of RAF members, with many others opening their doors to hiding RAF members. In May 1972, the guerrilla group heightened their violent regime with bombings of locations such as police stations, army bases and right wing presses. 4 American soldiers were killed, with many-including civilians, injured. In retaliation, 130,000 American and West German soldiers carried out raids, and as a result captured many members of the RAF (including leaders). Whilst some accepted these attacks, many others perceived the RAF’s actions as …show more content…
On September 5th 1977, members of the RAF kidnap Hanns-Martin Schleyer, the president of the German industry federation, in order to demand the release of RAF members held in prison. In hopes of increasing pressure on the German government, the Palestinian guerrillas hijack a German plane, though this proves to be ineffective. For 44 days, Germany is caught in a state of tension as the government refuses to relent. With the general public deeply traumatised, many-including common leftists believe the RAF to have crossed the line. In conclusion, the government save all hostages, killing three hijackers. Subsequently, three RAF prisoners commit suicide, with Schleyer found shot dead. Leading up to group’s formal disbandment in 1998, the RAF continued to target German and US government interests, including NATO. Support for the RAF sourced from other urban guerrilla groups such as the West Berlin anarchists of the ‘June 2 Movement’, with financial and logistic support from the Stasi . By 1988, the RAF was known to have killed 34 people in total. Throughout the entire course of the movement, perceiving the RAF as the intellectual roots of extreme leftist violence, the state government operated a highly offensive attack towards any forms of domestic terrorism, warranting the killing and unlawful measures taken against RAF prisoners. Though the attacks did not lead to any major consequence,