Short Answer 
The Shining Path, a Peruvian insurgent group, aimed to establish a communist society through violent tactics such as brutal killings, bombings, and kidnappings to instill fear and pressure the government. Their actions led to their classification as a terrorist organization, due to indiscriminate targeting of civilians and the use of violence to influence political outcomes.
Step 1: Understanding the Shining Path’s Goals
The Shining Path, also known as Sendero Luminoso, was an insurgent group in Peru that aimed to achieve political objectives through violent means. They sought to overthrow the government and establish a communist society. To accomplish this, they employed several brutal tactics that included:
- Brutal killings to instill fear among civilians.
- Violent bombings targeting public spaces.
- Kidnappings of influential figures for leverage.
Step 2: Tactics of Terrorism
The group utilized tactics that are characteristic of terrorism, primarily focusing on generating fear among the population. This fear was intended to:
- Pressure the government into making political concessions.
- Create social instability throughout the country.
- Undermine public trust in the government.
Step 3: Classification as a Terrorist Organization
Due to its actions, the Shining Path was classified as a terrorist group by the Peruvian government. The key reasons for this classification included:
- Indiscriminate targeting of civilians to achieve political aims.
- Leveraging fear to influence state policy.
- Utilization of kidnapping and violence as primary tools for negotiation.