32.1 the war on terror

Key Events Timeline

  • 2000: Bush wins controversial election

  • 2001: 9/11 attacks → War on Terror begins → Afghanistan invasion

  • 2002: Department of Homeland Security created

  • 2003: Iraq War begins

  • 2003–2011: Iraq War continues

  • 2006: Supreme Court limits treatment of detainees

Key Concepts

Bush Doctrine

  • Preemptive war

  • U.S. can act before being attacked

War on Terror

  • Global effort against terrorism

  • Focus on al-Qaeda and Taliban

Afghanistan War

  • Goal: destroy al-Qaeda, remove Taliban

  • Outcome: Taliban removed, bin Laden escapes

Iraq War

  • Justified by WMD fears (later unreliable)

  • Initially quick success → long conflict

  • Major consequences: instability + casualties

Domestic Policy Changes

Department of Homeland Security

  • Centralizes security agencies

Patriot Act

  • Expands surveillance powers

Civil Liberties Issues

  • Warrantless wiretapping

  • Guantanamo Bay detentions

  • “Unlawful combatants” classification

  • Supreme Court pushes back (2006)

Social Impact

  • Fear of terrorism

  • rise in hate crimes