Weathermen:

1. Who organized the group? The Weathermen, also known as the Weather Underground Organization (WUO), was organized by a faction of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), a left-wing student activist organization. The Weathermen faction emerged in the late 1960s as a more radical and militant group within SDS.

2. What is the group’s purpose or objective? The Weathermen aimed to oppose the Vietnam War, racism, and social injustice through revolutionary means. They believed in the necessity of armed struggle to bring about a more equitable society and to overthrow what they perceived as an oppressive government.

3. What methods of attacks has the group conducted? The Weathermen conducted a series of bombings and other acts of violence. They targeted government buildings, banks, and symbols of American capitalism as a way to protest and disrupt what they saw as unjust policies.

4. Who or what was the group’s target? Explain using examples. The Weathermen’s targets included the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, police stations, courthouses, banks, and corporations that they considered to be contributing to the war effort in Vietnam or perpetuating racial inequality. For example, in 1970, they claimed responsibility for bombing multiple government and corporate offices in various cities, including the New York City Police Headquarters.

5. Which are the two key attacks the group conducted? Two key attacks by the Weathermen were:

• The “Days of Rage” riots in October 1969, where they engaged in violent clashes with police in Chicago to protest the trial of the “Chicago Eight,” activists charged with conspiring to incite riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
• The bombing of the U.S. Capitol building in 1971 to protest the ongoing U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

6. Does the group still exist? Why or why not? The Weathermen’s activities began to decline in the mid-1970s. Many members went underground or shifted their activism to more conventional forms. Over time, the group’s activities dwindled, and it essentially ceased to exist by the late 1970s.

7. If the group no longer exists, how was it defeated by criminal justice officials? If the group still exists, what measures should criminal justice officials be taking to defeat the group? The Weathermen’s decline can be attributed to a combination of factors, including increasing internal divisions, the lack of widespread support for their violent tactics, successful law enforcement actions, and a change in the political climate. Many former members eventually turned themselves in, went through legal processes, and disengaged from radical activities.

Since the Weathermen no longer exist as an active organization, the focus of criminal justice officials shifted to addressing related individuals involved in criminal acts. It’s important to note that the defeat of the group wasn’t solely due to law enforcement actions; changing social and political dynamics also played a significant role.

QUESTION

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