Essential Question What were the major events of the George W. Bush presidency? What were the major events of the George W. Bush presidency?

George W. Bush

Election of 2000 Democrat – Al Gore Democrat – Al Gore Republican – George W. Bush Republican – George W. Bush

Election of 2000 Decided by 537 votes in Florida Decided by 537 votes in Florida Closest presidential election in U.S. history Closest presidential election in U.S. history

Election of 2000 Both needed Florida’s 25 electoral votes to win Both needed Florida’s 25 electoral votes to win

Election of 2000

Close results in Florida Close results in Florida State law required a recount State law required a recount Bush won by 537 votes Bush won by 537 votes

Bush v. Gore Gore took the case to the Supreme Court Gore took the case to the Supreme Court Ruled in favor FL certified results in time for the electoral college vote in mid- December Ruled in favor FL certified results in time for the electoral college vote in mid- December

Sept. 11, 2001 Terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania Terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania Terrorism – the use of violence by nongovernmental groups against civilians to achieve a political goal Terrorism – the use of violence by nongovernmental groups against civilians to achieve a political goal

Reasons for Muslim Terrorism U.S. investments in Middle East oil U.S. investments in Middle East oil Western influences on Muslim religious values Western influences on Muslim religious values U.S. support of Israel U.S. support of Israel

Al-Qaeda Muslim organization created by Osama bin Laden Muslim organization created by Osama bin Laden

War on Terror Response to terrorist attacks Response to terrorist attacks Created Department of Homeland Security Created Department of Homeland Security

Patriot Act Increased authority of US law enforcement agencies Increased authority of US law enforcement agencies Question of civil liberties? Question of civil liberties?

Afghanistan Oct. 7, 2001 – U.S. began bombing Oct. 7, 2001 – U.S. began bombing Attacked al- Qaeda camps and the Taliban (supporters of bin Laden) Attacked al- Qaeda camps and the Taliban (supporters of bin Laden)

Iraq War March 20, 2003 – U.S. coalition forces (led by the U.S.) March 20, 2003 – U.S. coalition forces (led by the U.S.) Invasion of Iraq, seized control by May 1 Invasion of Iraq, seized control by May 1

U.S. – Iraq War Based on intelligence that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction Based on intelligence that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction Used chemical weapons against the Kurds in Iraq Used chemical weapons against the Kurds in Iraq

Colin Powell Testified before the UN that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction Testified before the UN that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction

War in Iraq Unstable government Unstable government Terrorist insurgents and attacks Terrorist insurgents and attacks

War in Iraq 2007 – troop surge approved 2007 – troop surge approved Today – removal of troops as Iraq becomes more stable as a democracy Today – removal of troops as Iraq becomes more stable as a democracy

2008 Election Republican – John McCain Republican – John McCain Democrat – Barack Obama Democrat – Barack Obama First African American president First African American president