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Chapter33Lesson2War_on_Terror_.pptxChapter 33 Lesson 2 The War on Terror
Essential Question: How did the War on Terror reshape global politics and perceptions of security?
The War on Terror
Refers to the broad, long-term international military, political, and intelligence campaign launched by the United States and its allies after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The 9/11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked planes and attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The Day That Changed The World
On September 11, 2001, members of al-Qaeda, an Islamic extremist group, planned a surprise terrorist attack on America
19 hijackers took control over 4 commercial airliners and crashed them into the World Trade Center buildings in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
One plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania when the passengers fought back
2,977 people were killed in the attacks
What Was the War on Terror?
A global campaign launched by the United States to eliminate terrorist organizations and prevent future attacks.
The U.S. government, under President George W. Bush, declared a global effort to eliminate terrorism and any regimes that supported it.
Controversies on the War on Terror
Civilian casualties in Afghanistan, Iraq, and drone strike regions.
Use of torture (“enhanced interrogation techniques”).
Warrantless surveillance programs.
Large financial cost—trillions of dollars.
Long-term political instability in regions involved.
Immediate U.S. Response
President George W. Bush declared a 'War on Terror' and vowed to bring justice to those responsible.
The Taliban and Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, was based in Afghanistan and protected by the Taliban regime.
Invasion of Afghanistan (2001)
The U.S. and its allies invaded Afghanistan to remove the Taliban and destroy Al-Qaeda.
The Patriot Act
A U.S. law that expanded surveillance and law enforcement powers to fight terrorism.
What did the Patriot act do:
Expanded surveillance powers, allowing government agencies to monitor phone calls, emails, financial records, and internet activity more easily.
Enabled “roving wiretaps”, which let investigators track a suspect across multiple devices.
Allowed easier information sharing between agencies like the FBI, CIA, and NSA.
Gave authority to seize records (such as library, business, and medical records) using National Security Letters.
Broadened powers to detain and deport non-citizens suspected of terrorism-related activities.
Controversial aspects of the USA PATRIOT Act:
Mass surveillance and bulk data collection, including phone and internet records of millions of Americans not suspected of crimes.
National Security Letters, which allowed the FBI to obtain private records without a judge and forced recipients to stay silent.
Lowered standards for warrants, letting the government access personal information with minimal evidence of wrongdoing.
“Sneak and peek” searches, where agents could secretly search homes or businesses and delay notifying the target.
Racial profiling and extended detention of immigrants, particularly targeting Muslim, Arab, and South Asian communities after 9/11.
On the Left Side of your Notes
Create and color your own original Political Cartoon on the “War on Terror”
Counterterrorism – actions taken to prevent, deter, and respond to terrorism
Modern counterterrorism relies heavily on surveillance, data analysis, cybersecurity, and tracking financial networks used by terrorist groups.
Insurgency – a rebellion or uprising against an established government or authority
Insurgents rely on tactics like ambushes, sabotage, hit-and-run attacks, and propaganda rather than large conventional battles.
Extremism – the holding of radical political or religious views.
Propaganda – biased or misleading information used to promote a political cause
Propaganda used by terrorist groups to:
Recruitment & radicalization: Groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS used videos, social media, and online magazines to attract fighters and spread extremist ideology.
Psychological impact: Propaganda aimed to spread fear, demoralize enemies, and show the strength of their operations, such as videos of attacks or executions.
Global reach: Online platforms allowed terrorists to target audiences worldwide, including young
Propaganda used by governments (U.S. and allies)
Justifying military action: Governments used media to explain why wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were necessary to fight terrorism.
Promoting support for democracy and security: Campaigns highlighted efforts to protect civilians, rebuild communities, and defeat extremists.
Counter-radicalization campaigns: Programs aimed to discredit extremist narratives, encourage local resistance to insurgents, and prevent recruitment
Department of Homeland Security
Created in 2002 to coordinate efforts to protect the U.S. from terrorist threats.
Created after 9/11: DHS was established in 2002 by combining 22 different federal agencies, including the Coast Guard, Secret Service, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to better coordinate national security efforts.
Largest federal agency: DHS employs over 240,000 people, making it one of the biggest U.S. government departments, with responsibilities ranging from border security to disaster response.
Protects both physical and cyber domains: DHS not only guards airports, borders, and ports but also oversees cybersecurity efforts, including protecting critical infrastructure and government networks from cyberattacks.
Department of Homeland Security
Invasion of Iraq (2003)
The U.S. invaded Iraq, claiming Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.
The United States government believed that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and was supporting al-Qaeda
Therefore, the United States invaded Iraq in 2003
Saddam Hussein, Iraqi president and dictator, is captured, put on trial, and executed
The war became very unpopular as weapons of mass desutrction were never found and there were reports that American soldiers were torturing prisoners of war
Controversy Over Iraq War
No WMDs were found, leading to criticism and debate about the war’s justification.
Global Impact
The War on Terror influenced security policies, travel, and international relations worldwide.
List of new rules and security measures for air travel introduced after 9/11:
Enhanced passenger screening: All passengers must go through metal detectors and X-ray scanners for carry-on items.
Liquids restriction: Liquids, gels, and aerosols in carry-on bags are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 ml) per container, all fitting in a single quart-sized bag.
Removal of shoes and belts: Passengers must remove shoes, belts, and sometimes jackets during security screening.
Prohibition of sharp objects: Knives, scissors (above certain lengths), and other sharp items are banned from carry-on luggage.
Increased use of no-fly and watch lists: Individuals on government watch lists are prohibited from boarding flights.
Enhanced ID requirements: All passengers must present government-issued photo ID at checkpoints.
Random additional screening: Security personnel can select passengers for pat-downs or secondary inspection.
Locked cockpit doors: Cockpit doors are reinforced and must remain locked during flight.
Banned items and carry-on limits: Many items previously allowed, like large liquids, sporting equipment, and certain electronics, are restricted or banned.
TSA creation: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was formed to standardize and enforce airport security across the U.S.
New Terrorist Threats
Groups like ISIS emerged, leading to new military campaigns in the Middle East.
ISIS
After the Iraqi army disbanded, new revolutions began in the area
Out of the revolutions, ISIS, or the Islamic State, formed out of jihadists in Iraq and Syria
This terrorist group is even more brutal, extreme, and violent than previous terrorists groups
Despite this, thanks to many nations, including the United States, ISIS lost more than 98% of its territory between 2016 and 2017
Drone Warfare
The U.S. began using drones to target terrorists in countries like Pakistan and Yemen.
Impact on Soldiers and Civilians
Millions were affected, including soldiers, refugees, and civilians caught in conflict zones.
Over 432,000 civilians were killed directly by post‑9/11 war violence (2001–2023). When also counting indirect deaths (from things like loss of healthcare, infrastructure collapse, and economic breakdown), their estimate rises to about 3.6–3.8 million extra deaths
Guantanamo Bay
A U.S. detention center for suspected terrorists, criticized for human rights abuses.
Bin Laden’s Death
Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. Navy SEALs in Pakistan in 2011.
The War Winds Down
U.S. troops withdrew from Iraq (2011) and Afghanistan (2021).
The End of a War?
On August of 2021, President Joe Biden officially stated that America was ending the War in Terror after nearly 20 years of having the military in the Middle East
However, as soon as troops began to be evacuated, the Taliban pushed in Kabul and began to take over Afghanistan once again
Legacy of the War on Terror
It changed global politics, U.S. foreign policy, and the balance between security and freedom.
Many question whether the War on Terror made the world safer or caused more instability.
Canvas Review Question
Did the U.S. overreact to 9/11, or were the actions justified given the threat? One Paragraph
Is torture ever justified to prevent a terrorist attack? One Paragraph
3. Has the War on Terror ultimately created more terrorism (e.g., rise of ISIS)? One Paragraph
