The 21st Century The Administrations of George Bush and Barack Obama

Disputed Election of 2000 Republican George Bush ran against Democrat Al Gore The election was so close, that whoever won Florida’s electoral votes, would win the election The Supreme Court ruled that Bush won Florida, and therefore the election.

The Conservative Agenda As Bush took office the economy was in recession, with unemployment growing President proposed a tax cut for the wealthy, so that they would create jobs and help the economy grow

September 11, 2001 On 9/11 nineteen members of the Al Qaeda organization attacked the US. Two planes crashed into the twin towers One plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC A fourth, which was heading for the White House, was brought down by passengers who resisted the hijackers

President Bush Goes After Al Qaeda in Afghanistan President Bush went to Ground Zero in NYC and promised to go after Al Qaeda The US launched war against Al Qaeda, who were based in Afghanistan and supported by the Taliban government Three months later the Taliban was overthrown

The US goes to War in Iraq In 2002 President Bush accused Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein of having Weapons of Mass destruction (WMD) In 2002 the Congress gave approval for US forces to go to war against Hussein in Iraq. US and British forces overthrew Hussein’s government

The Second Term of Bush In 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry challenged President Bush Bush won a close election However, during the second term of George Bush the country faced a recession. Unemployment rose, businesses failed, and housing prices collapsed

The Election of Barack Obama Democratic Senator Barack Obama ran against Republican Senator John McCain Obama won the election of 2008, becoming the first African American President in US History

Obama’s Domestic Policies Obama increased government spending to stimulate a failing economy. He continued the Bush policy of providing money to failing big corporations and banks He also supported public works projects, like building high speed trains Obama and a Democratic Congress also passed a national health care bill, to cover all Americans.

The Republican Resurgence Many Republicans opposed Obama’s Health Care plan and increased government spending, which creates bigger budget deficits In 2010 midterm elections the Republicans won a majority in the House of Representatives Democrats continue to control the Senate and the White House

Obama’s Foreign Policy Obama opposed the war in Iraq, but promised to focus more efforts in Afghanistan He sent 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban He also stepped up drone attacks on Al Qaeda in Pakistan

Bin Laden Killed Earlier this month US special forces killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan The US is now debating whether the death of Bin Laden means US troops should be withdrawn from Afghanistan or should remain? What do you think?

Ongoing Wars Insurgents in both Iraq and Afghanistan continued to fight the US presence in both countries. The US began withdrawal from Iraq in 2009 and all troops are scheduled to leave this year. The war in Afghanistan continues against the Taliban and Al Qaeda.