Historically, the term terrorism was used to refer to actions taken by governments against their citizens, however in modern usage it generally refers to the targeting of civilians as part of a strategy directed "against" governments.
The term terrorism was used to refer to actions as part of a strategy. This was historically. This strategy was directed "against" governments. These actions were taken by governments against their citizens in modern usage. This was however. It generally refers modern usage to the targeting of civilians.