Is the anthrax scare of 2001 real or constructed?

Term Paper , 2005 , 20 Pages , Grade: 1,3

American Studies - Culture and Applied Geography

This paper will try to analyze if the fear that arose after the anthrax mailings among the American population in 2001, is justified. This will be done by help of the pro and contra method. At first, the course of the anthrax attacks is given. Then further emphasis is set upon the pro arguments for a real scare. Therefore what should be known about anthrax will be depicted. After that, the reasons because people believed in a terrorist threat are given. Furthermore the contra arguments will be given. It will be explained that disinformation especially by the government were the reason for the people’s fears. The government willingly or out of pressure let the people believe in anthrax as a threat to mankind, although anthrax is not as useful for a terrorist attack as it has been said.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The victims
• Searching for the culprit
• The aftermath
• The Real Scare
• Anthrax
• Different disease types

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to analyze the fear surrounding the anthrax mailings in the United States during 2001, examining both the evidence for and against the justification of this fear. It explores the events leading up to the attacks, the real threat posed by anthrax, and the role of misinformation in fostering public fear.

• The anthrax mailings of 2001
• The characteristics and dangers of anthrax
• The role of misinformation in public perception of anthrax
• The impact of the anthrax attacks on American society
• The search for the perpetrator of the attacks

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the paper's objective, which is to analyze the justification for the fear surrounding the anthrax mailings in 2001. It also outlines the structure of the paper, highlighting the focus on both the pros and cons of the "real scare" argument.
• 2001 Anthrax Attacks: This chapter details the events surrounding the anthrax mailings, including the victims, the timeline of the attacks, and the initial investigations into the culprit. It highlights the significant impact of these events on the American public and the widespread fear that ensued.
• The Real Scare: This chapter focuses on the real threat posed by anthrax. It provides information about the bacterium, its characteristics, and the different disease types it can cause. The chapter also discusses anthrax as a potential weapon of bioterrorism and the potential for terrorists to produce and weaponize the bacterium.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This paper explores the intersection of public health, bioterrorism, and the spread of misinformation. Key terms and concepts include anthrax, Bacillus anthracis, pulmonary anthrax, cutaneous anthrax, bioterrorism, misinformation, government propaganda, and the Ames strain.

• College: Ruhr-University of Bochum
• Course: Discourses of Fear
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Annika Lüchau (Author)
• Publication Year: 2005
• Pages: 20
• Catalog Number: V45541
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638429283
• Language: English
• Tags: Discourses, Fear