Terror is a concept that dates back to the emergence of mankind yet is mistakenly associated with certain cultures, societies and groups by not only the major powers of our day but also by scholars as well. New developments in the global order associated with issues such as energy security, the environment, ethnic conflicts and the depletion of common goods such as water resources are expected to have a significant effect on the proliferation of terrorism. As acts of terror increase, the need to better understand the roots of terrorism emerges. This paper seeks to address the history of terrorism, its similarities to and differences from another form of aggression, war, similar to terror in many ways, especially throughout history. The major powers of our day are also guilty of discharging terror-like violence throughout their histories with the developing world, even though the presence of a law of war exists. Although terror is different from war in many respects, their similarities, especially when the history of the modernized world is concerned, are important to analyze. There is no scientific proof that one culture or ethnic group is more susceptible to carrying out terrorist acts, however, terrorism can become a real alternative for those societies and people that feel exploited and degraded by other states or groups. The ultimate argument of the paper is that without addressing the underlying structural reasons that have led to the emergence and widespread use of terror by marginalized groups, it will be impossible to eradicate terrorism.