ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

State terrorism

State terrorism is when a government uses violence or the threat of violence to try and control its people. For example, a government might use violence or the threat of violence to keep people from speaking out against the government's decisions or policies. It might also use violence to keep people from taking part in protests or demonstrations against the government. So, state terrorism is basically when a government uses violence to try and control the people.