ETA is a Terrorist Organization with Roots in Ethnic...

ETA Discursive Essay: From 1959 until 2010, Euskadi Ta Aaskatasuna or ETA has been fighting for autonomy in the Basque region on the border between Spain and France. ETA hopes to achieve political and cultural independence. However, it utilizes terror and violent intimidation to undermine existing governments. It is a terrorist organization that with military-style precision inflicts maximum damage in an attempt to realize its nationalist ideals. Cease-fires and negotiations are voided. ETA argues that in striving for nationalist autonomy it is simply an organization of â€Å"freedom fighters† struggling to resist what they perceive to be an illegitimate government. ETA is a terrorist organization that has its roots in ethnic nationalism. Basque separatists have long desired independence, based on a culture that is dramatically different from that of the Spanish. Their language (Euskara) predates French, Spanish, German and most other Continental languages, and their customs and traditions are unique to the area. Nationalism is a prevalent theme and dates back to the turn of the nineteenth century when the Republican government granted autonomy to the Basque country under the leadership of Sabina de Arana y Goiri. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) the Basque people supported the Republicans. As a result, Franco targeted them, decimating the Basque town of Guernica, killing over a thousand people. After the war, Franco continued to oppress and discriminate against theShow MoreRelated Self-Determination in the Basque Country Essay examples1091 Words   |  5 Pagesin the â€Å"north† under French rule, and four provinces in the â₠¬Å"south† under Spanish rule, the Basque people enjoy a strong sense of pride in their culture. This pride stems mainly from their unique language; the true essence of Basque identity. Its roots trace to before the invasion of the Indo-Europeans, around 4,000 years ago. Therefore, it is the oldest known language in all of Europe. The Basques have struggled to keep language as the cornerstone of their culture. However, under Spanish ruleRead More Global Terrorist Organizations Essay example4168 Words   |  17 PagesETA stands for Euskadi Ta Askatasuna in Euskara, or in English, Basque Fatherland and Freedom. It grew out of the EKIN in Spain in 1959 and formed as a radical Basque separatist group. Discontented with the moderate nationalism of the main Basque party, the ETA is dedicated to a separate nation-state for the Basque people, an ethnic group inhabiting areas of northern Spain and southwestern France. Currently there are about 300 members . Current leaders include Juan Cruz Maiztegui Bengoa andRead MoreTransnational Actors and International Organizations in Global Politics11246 Words   |  45 PagesTransnational Actors and International Organizations in Global Politics By Peter Willetts From J. B. Baylis and S. Smith (eds.), The Globalisation of World Politics, (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, second edition, 2001), pp. 356-383. This copy does not contain the various boxes and diagrams that are in the book. Please note that this document is set for A4 paper, so US users should change the File-PageSetUp-PaperSize to Letter before printing. †¢ Introduction †¢ Problems with the