1. Rise of “Terrorism” in the Middle East
Movement for strict Islamic interpretation following
Western powers enrich ruling families of Middle East, leaving many poor
Spread of Western values due to oil industry
Division of Palestine in 1948, creation and continued support of Israel
Rise of Al-Qaeda (the base)
Response to 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Bin Laden from wealthy family, used money to fund anti-Soviet resistance (described as “freedom fighters”
Indirectly worked with CIA* (disputed)
Soviet retreat convinced Bin Laden that super powers could be beat
Angered over Saudi Arabia’s decision to allow western troops in for the Persian Gulf War.

2. September 11, 2001
New York – Arlington – Shanksville

3. New York City
In the early morning hours of September 11, 2001, four commercial airliners were hijacked.
8:46 a.m. – American Airlines Flight 11 was the first to crash into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Approximately seventeen minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower.

4. Arlington, Virginia
Terrorists hijack American Airlines Flight 77 and crash it into the Pentagon

5. Shanksville, Pennsylvania
The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was expected to head toward the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
However, passengers decided to take action after discovering the plan
At 10:03 A.M., the plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing everyone onboard.
On September 11, 2010, Former First Lady Laura Bush and First Lady Michele Obama visited the site of United Airlines Flight 93 airplane crash.

6. After Effects and Costs
Months to complete the rescue and recovery efforts.
The fires beneath the rubble burned for weeks, and the cleanup was not fully complete until May 2002.
Roughly 3,000 dead and 6,000 injured
Largest attack on United States territory since Pearl Harbor.

7. Military and Legislative Response
Osama bin Laden claims responsibility for attacks
Global War on Terror launched, immediate military attacks on Afghanistan Taliban regime
Focus on any nation sponsoring terrorism, not just confined to Afghanistan
“AXIS OF EVIL” (Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Libya)
Funding for terrorism froze internationally
Office of Homeland Security created
Controls Coast Guard, Border Control, Immigration, Customs, FEMA, and others with the hope to consolidate efforts
Patriot Act 2001 (ant-terrorism bill)
Allowed secret searches, nation-wide warrants, easier wiretaps, tracking and seizing of internet communications
Anthrax attacks in mail 2001
News organizations, Senators house in DC, government buildings, 2 mail workers died, no arrests

8. USA PATRIOT ACT Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 Uniting and
Strengthening
America by
Providing
Appropriate
Tools
Required to
Intercept and
Obstruct
Terrorism Act of 2001