Chapter 31 (Enduring Vision), Global Dangers, Global Challenges, 2001-Present
1375977400 | Colin Powell | Was an American military general and leader during the Persian Gulf War. He played a crucial role in planning and attaining America's victory in the Persian Gulf and Panama.. He was also the first black four star general and chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff. | 0 | |
1375977401 | Condoleezza Rice | secretary of state under GW Bush. first African-American woman secretary of state. pioneered a policy of Transformational Diplomacy, with a focus on democracy in the greater Middle East. | 1 | |
1375977402 | Dick Cheney | This vice president under George W. Bush is regarded as one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S. history. He oversaw the War on Terror and the 2nd Persian Gulf War. | 2 | |
1375977403 | Donald Rumsfeld | Secretary of Defense under G.W.Bush, wanted the US to start the War in Iraq, headed the invasion of Afghanistan, coined the terms "War on Terror," and "Weapons of Mass Destruction", resigned on own power in 2006 after being displeased with US strategy in Iraq. | 3 | |
1375977404 | 9/11 attacks | September 11, 2001: four airplanes were hijacked: three hit their targets, the fourth plane's passengers rushed the cockpit and forced the plane to crash into the ground. Osama bin Laden was identified as the person responsible for the terrorist attack. | 4 | |
1375977405 | al Qaeda | a network of Islamic terrorist organizations, led by Osama bin Laden, that carried out the attacks on the US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in 1998, the USS Cole in Yemen in 2000, and the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001 | 5 | |
1375977406 | Guantanamo Bay | Military base granted to the US in Cuba (as result of the Spanish-American War in 1898) and used (2002-Present) to hold persons suspected of terrorism. Not technically owned by US, but occupied by US territory. Known as Gitmo. | 6 | |
1375977407 | USA-Patriot Act | Law passed due to 9/11 attacks; sought to prevent further terrorist attacks by allowing greater government access to electronic communications and other information; criticized by some as violating civil liberties. | 7 | |
1375977408 | Department of Homeland Security | A cabinet division created in 2001 after 9/11 to combat terrorism and foreign immigration. Soon after its creation, Tom Ridge, its leader, had to deal with a serious problem. This incident was a report of anthrax letters being mailed to government officials and the media, resulting in 18 infections and 5 deaths. The department was quickly created soon after this (it was a Cabinet office beforehand) and began to institute several regulations in travel, border control, and imports/exports to combat the danger of terrorism and to promote security, especially at airports across the country, where it was easiest before these changes to transport terrorists and dangerous weapons quickly. | 8 | |
1375977409 | Neoconservatives | Advocates of a policy of overwhelming US military superiority and aggressive projection of US power. They believe any actual or potential threat must be resisted by all available means including preemptive strikes. Supporters of invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the "America acts alone" foreign policy. | 9 | |
1375977410 | Arctic National Wildlife Refuge | known as "the Serengeti of North America", this area of land on Alaska's North Slope consists of federal lands set aside to protect wildlife and preserve the unique ecosystems in the area. Proponents of oil drilling have repeatedly tried to open this area to development. | 10 | |
1375977411 | No Child Left Behind (NCLB) | A U.S. law passed by Congress in 2001 that was intended to increase accountability in education by requiring standardized tests to measure school achievement. Many critics, especially teachers, says the law undercuts learning and fails to take local needs into consideration | 11 | |
1375977412 | John Kerry | Decorated Vietnam War veteran who lost the 2004 presidential election to G.W. Bush. Secretary of State during Obama's 2nd term. | 12 | |
1375977413 | global warming | Gradual warming of the earth and its atmosphere that may be caused in part by pollution and an increase in the greenhouse effect. | 13 | |
1375977414 | Kyoto Accords | A protocol setting strict emission targets for industrialized nations. President Bush refused to sign the agreement, making America one of only four nations that refused to cooperate. | 14 | |
1375977415 | World Trade Organization | Administers the rules governing trade between its 144 members. Helps producers, importers, and exporters conduct their business and ensure that trade flows smoothly. | 15 | |
1375977416 | Hurricane Katrina | (2005) The costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes in the history of the U. S., killing nearly 2,000 Americans. The storm ravaged the Gulf Coast, especially in the city of New Orleans, in late Aug. of 2005. In New Orleans, high winds and rain caused the city's levees to break, leading to catastrophic flooding, particularly centered on the city's most impoverished wards. A tardy and feeble response by local and federal authorities exacerbated the damage and led to widespread criticism of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). | 16 | |
1375977417 | Barack Obama | 2008; Democrat; first African American president of the US, health care bill; Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster; economy: huge stimulus package to combat the great recession, is removing troops from Iraq, strengthened numbers in Afghanistan; repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell; New Start treaty with Russia | 17 | |
1375977418 | John McCain | Arizona Senator and war hero was runner up to George W. Bush for the GOP presidential nomination in 2000; also ran for president in 2008 -lost to President Obama | 18 |