An exercise in terror? The Paris Commune, 1871.

Traces the roots of hostage-taking in terrorism to the Paris Commune, which arose in 1871 under the leadership of Adolphe Thiers following the Franco-Prussian War. Political history of the Commune; Isolation of principals and the lack of a central government in early events of the Commune; Rise of hostage-taking in the Commune; Trials of the hostages; Role of mass media in publicizing terrorism.