Unit 7: Modern Conflicts 1990-2015

Persian Gulf War

Iraq (Saddam Hussein) invaded Kuwait in August 1990; Phase 1 (Operation Desert Shield): Air attacks on Iraqi targets; Phase 2 (Operation Desert Storm): Ground invasion; U.S. showed military dominance, first war shown live on TV, huge oil fires caused environmental damage

Afghan War

• Soviet Union stepped in to help Afghanistan that was facing resistance towards their communist government

• USSR wanted to make sure communism wasn’t removed from Afghanistan

• U.S aided Afghanistan in hopes they would continue to fight against communism in their country

• U.S provided financial and logistical support, weapons and training

• Proxy war between the U.S and USSR 

• U.S implemented a grain embargo against the Soviet Union

• rise of the taliban as a result

Operation Iraqi Freedom (Second Gulf War)

• Bush Administration declared Saddham Hussein’s regime a threat

• Saadham Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction were a threat to US security

• Saadham Hussein refused to leave Iraq and chose to confront US troops instead

• Al Qaeda saw an opportunity to exploit the instability in Iraq, they flooded in the country to train terrorists

• 20,000 more troops were sent to restabilize the country

• Bush made a bill to withdrawal from the war by December 31, 2011

• More than 4200 US troops died during the war

Clinton’s welfare reform

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 reformed the U.S. welfare system.

• Emphasized personal responsibility and work requirements.

• Implemented time limits, stricter rules, and reduced federal funding to decrease dependence on government benefits.

Oklahahoma City Bombing

Domestic terrorist bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995.

• Perpetrated by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols.

• Killed 168 people and injured hundreds more.

• Motivated by anti-government extremism.

• McVeigh was executed, and Nichols received a life sentence.

• Highlighted the threat of domestic terrorism in the U.S.

• Led to increased security measures at federal buildings.

Waco (ATF)

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, in 1993.

• Resulted in a deadly siege and fire.

• Controversial due to the high number of casualties and questions about the ATF's handling of the situation.

January 6th riots

Vandalized, looted, attacked capitol police
Looking for senators/reps to “capture”
Built gallows to “Hang Mike Pence”

Many far-right, neo-Nazi white supremacist groups