war on terror

usa patriot act

expanded the government's surveillance and investigatory powers, particularly in the context of national security and counterterrorism

invasion of afghanistan

authorized use of military force (aumf) passed

goal was to take apart al qaeda

gets rid of taliban, puts new gov in place

iraq war

bush administration wanted a connection between iraq, 911, and al qaeda, so they went after saddam hussein

looking for weapons of mass destruction (wmd), never found, hussein captured and executed, us puts new gov in

hurricane katrina

slow government response, widely circulated photo of him looking out the window of Air Force One over New Orleans was seen as symbolic of the federal government's aloofness.

2008 financial collapse

Banks gave out high-risk "subprime" mortgages to people who couldn't afford them, house market collapse, banks fail, unemployment rise. President Obama passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ($787 billion) to boost spending, create jobs, and support states. he also bailed banks out.

rise of isis

Zarqawi wants to join al qaeda as he wants to attack shia muslims and create a calliphate (kingdom), but al qaeda believe he is too extreme. he is killed and the new leader, baghdadi creates isis and expands in syria. they were able to recruit people using social media.

1991 gulf war vs iraqi war

1991 Gulf War	2003 Iraq War

Main Goal

Free Kuwait

Remove Saddam, find WMDs

UN Support

Strong

Weak/none

Duration

Weeks

Years (2003–2011)

Saddam's Fate

Stayed in power

Overthrown and executed

Aftermath

Quick victory, limited U.S. role

Long occupation, regional instability

tea party

• A conservative, populist movement that emerged in response to the 2008 financial crisis, Obama’s presidency, and growing national debt.

• Focused on:

  • Reducing government spending

  • Cutting taxes

  • Limiting federal power

  • Balancing the budget

obamacare (affordable care act ACA)

1. Expand health insurance coverage to more Americans

2. Make healthcare more affordable

3. Prevent insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions

4. Improve healthcare quality and efficiency

axis of evil

iran, iraq, north korea

prevent them from getting nuclear weapons

preventative warfare, democratize middle east