The 21st Century

1
The 21st Century

• The Administrations of
• George Bush and Barack Obama

2
Disputed Election of 2000

• Republican George Bush ran against Democrat Al
  Gore
• The election was so close, that whoever won
  Floridas electoral votes, would win the election
• The Supreme Court ruled that Bush won Florida,
  and therefore the election.

3
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

4
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

5
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

6
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 Husseins
  government

7
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

8
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

9
Obamas 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.

10
The Republican Resurgence

• Many Republicans opposed Obamas 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

11
Obamas 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

12
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?

13
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.