Today’s big issue is the NSU trial. Crime committed by right wing extremists is now focused by governmental authorities. The last terror organization with such medial attention was the Red Army Faction - a left antifascist group which performed its assaults during the late 60’s and 70’s. They fought against American ideologies and the Western capitalism. Although their assaults were very ruthless and brutal, they had many sympathizers, especially students. One reason was their medial appearance and popularity.
Table of Contents
1. RAF’s history
2. Influence on society
3. Reason for such big influence
4. Personal opinion
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the historical development of the Red Army Faction (RAF), specifically focusing on its "first generation," and analyzes its subsequent impact on German society, the media landscape, and the state’s security policies.
- Historical origins of the RAF and the "first generation" activities
- The societal influence and the role of public fear
- Analysis of media coverage and its impact on the group's popularity
- The relationship between the student movement and radical terrorism
- Governmental responses and security budget increases
Excerpt from the Book
Influence on society
The RAF’s assaults frightened the majority of Germany’s population because also innocent civilians could have been victims. Newspaper’s reports and further media coverage like television news increased the subjectively perceived threat. For example BILD reported about a further RAF crime after a bank in Karlsruhe was robbed, without any proves or indices that the Red Army Faction was even involved.
Furthermore the German police experienced some changes. They had to search for a group consisting of more than 10 members. For this reason the government increased the budget for the BKA (police) DM 24.9 million in 1969 to DM 76.8 million in 1972.
Another influenced group were sympathizers and supporters of the RAF. According to a survey from 1970 25% of all Germans younger than 30 years had sympathies towards the RAF and even five percent would have provided an accommodation for RAF members for one night.
Summary of Chapters
RAF’s history: This chapter outlines the formation of the Red Army Faction, highlighting the initial student protests and the escalation into terrorist activities by the group's core members.
Influence on society: This section examines the public fear generated by the RAF, the resulting changes in police funding, and the presence of a notable sympathizer movement among the younger generation.
Reason for such big influence: The chapter explores why the group gained such significant notoriety, attributing it primarily to their media presence and the professional background of key members like Ulrike Meinhof.
Personal opinion: The final section offers a critical perspective on the legacy of the RAF, arguing that their initial roots in the student movement were overshadowed by their violent, anti-democratic methods.
Keywords
Red Army Faction, RAF, Terrorism, German History, Student Movement, Baader-Meinhof, Media Influence, Radicalism, Social Impact, Government, Sympathizers, BKA, Urban Guerrilla
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this work primarily about?
This work provides an overview of the formation, activities, and societal impact of the first generation of the Red Army Faction (RAF) in Germany.
What are the central themes covered?
The text focuses on the history of the RAF, the media's role in its public perception, the group's influence on society, and the state's security reactions.
What is the primary objective of this essay?
The objective is to explain how the RAF originated from student-led protests and why, despite its brutal actions, the organization managed to gain significant media attention and a level of societal sympathy.
Which scientific or historical approach is used?
The author uses a historical and reflective approach, synthesizing information from secondary sources, journalistic reports, and historical surveys to provide a concise overview.
What is discussed in the main part of the work?
The main part covers the timeline of the "first generation," the influence on German population and law enforcement, and the specific factors contributing to the group's infamous popularity.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Red Army Faction, RAF, Terrorism, Student Movement, Media, and Societal Influence.
How did media influence the perception of the RAF?
The author argues that daily reporting in newspapers and tabloids, combined with the journalistic background of key figures like Ulrike Meinhof, gave the terror group a disproportionate amount of public visibility.
Why does the author conclude that the RAF lost its value?
The author concludes that regardless of the initial grievances against the state, the resort to violence and terrorism fundamentally invalidated the group's ideological goals.
- Citation du texte
- Martin Sandner (Auteur), 2013, The RAF And Its Influence On Society, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/262735
