It is called "assassination" the murder of an important figure, social, political or artistic, which can lead to the collapse of a certain prevailing structure. Throughout history it has been used as part of grand plans to overthrow governments or destabilize their functioning. This can be promoted by ideologies or political thoughts, in addition to the desire to eliminate political opponents. Among the most notorious assassinations in history is the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, at the hands of John Wilkes Booth or Martin Luther King, by James Earl Ray. It should be mentioned that important figures in the media circle who are the target of attacks cannot be considered victims of an assassination.
Some authors argue that, as a reaction to the contemporary era, and the “acceptance” of violent political avenues (paramilitary groups, revolutionary terrorism, among others), assassinations have a much more destabilizing tint; In other words, the purpose of this is not only to overthrow the government, but to insert new ideologies, using violent methods. Since the 19th century, these have also been part of a series of anarchist control methods, called "propaganda by fact ", in which the impact of an event is established and gives it much more relevance and importance, therefore which has a much higher efficacy with respect to arousing the rebellion of the people.
Assassinations can be classified according to their development, being this: planned and prepared (it was not carried out), failed attempt (some examples would be that of Margarte Tatcher, Augusto Pinochet, Juan Pablo II, Rafael Correa, Adolf Hitler and Fidel Castro), and those of successful accomplishment (John F. Kennedy, Mahatma Gandhi, Tupac Shakur and Isabel de Baviera).
In the same way, they can be organized according to the social context, being like this: ancient, modern world or the beginning of the contemporary era (Julius Caesar), anarchism or revolutionary movements (Archduke Francisco Fernando of Austria), Fascist, revolutionary, anti-revolutionary violence and totalitarian (Trotsky), Conflicts international level (radical Islamism). According to their public and political leadership: Kings, presidents and heads of government (Carlos Delgado Chalbaud), Deputies, parliamentarians, candidates for elections (Robert F. Kennedy), Leaders of social, political and religious movements (Malcom X), Intellectuals and artists (John Lennon).
