Modern America 1982—Present PART 5 OF 5 Chapter 37— Modern America 1982—Present PART 5 OF 5

9/11

Improving National Security President Bush moved quickly to counter terrorism at home by giving law enforcement more power in preventing any future attacks. Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) in 2001 to monitor suspected terrorists and detain or deport aliens who were associated with terrorist groups.

Improving National Security President Bush moved quickly to counter terrorism at home by giving law enforcement more power in preventing any future attacks. Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act in 2001 to monitor suspected terrorists and detain or deport aliens who were associated with terrorist groups. In addition, Congress also created the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate domestic securities matters among state and federal agencies.

Invading Afghanistan In 2001, the United States, Britain, and other allies invaded Afghanistan with the goal of capturing Osama Bin Laden and destroying the Al Qaeda network in that nation. After months of fighting, the coalition overthrew the Taliban (Islamic Fundamentalist group in Afghanistan which allowed radical Islamic terrorist groups to train) and established a new democratic government. Despite attempts to capture Osama Bin Laden, he has eluded coalition forces.

WMDs Following the invasion of Afghanistan, President Bush turned his attention to Iraq. Many in the Bush Administration (including National Security Advisor, Condoleezza Rice, and Secretary of State, Colin Powell) believed that Saddam Hussein was stockpiling biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

Operation Iraqi Freedom Congress authorized the President to use force, and on March 19, 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom (the invasion of Iraq) began. Within month, the Iraqi government collapsed and went into hiding (later, many leaders were captured). Despite successes in Iraq, nearly 4,300 United States servicemen have died and the conflict in Iraq has been controversial at home.

“Into a New Century” (p. 6) 5. Describe President Bush’s response to the terrorist attack against the United States? Following the attack on September 11th, Bush invaded Afghanistan to seek Osama Bin Laden and punished the Taliban who were protecting his terrorist network. Bush also established the Department of Homeland Security and worked for passage of the Patriot Act of 2002.

“Into a New Century” (p. 7) 8. Did Operation Iraqi Freedom succeed at improving the lives of the Iraqi people? In some ways, Operation Iraqi Freedom successfully improved the lives of Iraqis, the dictator Saddam Hussein was removed with many of his supporters captured or killed, the Iraqis wrote a new constitution, and established a new democratic government. However, Shi’ite, Sunni, and Kurdish forces have clashed resulting in the deaths of United States combat forces, as well as civilians, and the United States is viewed around the world as acting imperialistic.

Presidential Election of 2004 In 2004, the Republican Party re-nominated the incumbent President George W. Bush who promised to continue the war against Fundamentalist Islamic extremists, security at home, and promotion of economic growth with low taxes. The Democratic Party nominated Senator John F. Kerry who campaigned on ending the conflict in Iraq, promoting universal healthcare, and bring increased spending in social programs. Bush carried a larger margin than in 2000 to win the election.

Presidential Election of 2004 George W. Bush John Kerry

Presidential Election of 2004

Presidential Election of 2008

Barack H. Obama 44th President 2009 – 2017 Party: Democrat Home State: Illinois Vice President: Joseph Biden

Barack H. Obama Foreign Obama has maintained troop-levels consistent with the Bush Administration in both Afghanistan and Iraq (But, has announced a surge in Afghanistan to curtail rising violence with radical militants in that nation). Stated that a new era in “friendly” foreign relations would take place between the United States, Russia, and Europe. Obama has attempted to reach out to the Arab and Muslim nations in an effort to change the relationship with those nations.

Barack H. Obama Domestic Signed the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (2009) which was $787 billion stimulus package. Chrysler was given a loan and the federal government assumed 60% ownership in GM in an effort to allow the company to reorganize. Supports universal healthcare for the United States – On November 7, 2009, a bill passed Congress which supported a public health insurance option (a current bill is present in the Senate).

Presidential Election of 2012

Presidential Election of 2016

Donald Trump 45th President 2017 – Present Party: Republican Home State: New York Vice President: Mike Pence