What were the major events of the George W. Bush presidency

1. Essential Question

What were the major
events of the George W.
Bush presidency?

2. George W. Bush

3. Election of 2000

Democrat – Al Gore
Republican –
George W. Bush

4. Election of 2000

Decided by 537
votes in Florida
Closest presidential
election in U.S.
history

5. Election of 2000

Both needed
Florida’s 25
electoral
votes to win

6. Election of 2000

7.

8. Election of 2000

Close results in
Florida
State law
required a
recount
Bush won by 537
votes

9. Bush v. Gore

Gore took the case
to the Supreme
Court
Ruled in favor FL
certified results in
time for the
electoral college
vote in midDecember

10. Sept. 11, 2001

Terrorist attacks in
New York City,
Washington D.C.,
Pennsylvania
Terrorism – the use
of violence by
nongovernmental
groups against
civilians to achieve
a political goal

11. Reasons for Muslim Terrorism

U.S. investments in
Middle East oil
Western influences
on Muslim religious
values
U.S. support of
Israel

12. Al-Qaeda

Muslim
organization
created by Osama
bin Laden

13. War on Terror

Response to
terrorist attacks
Created
Department of
Homeland
Security

14. Patriot Act

Increased
authority of US
law
enforcement
agencies
Question of civil
liberties?

15. Afghanistan

Oct. 7, 2001 –
U.S. began
bombing
Attacked alQaeda camps
and the Taliban
(supporters of
bin Laden)

16. Iraq War

March 20, 2003 –
U.S. coalition forces
(led by the U.S.)
Invasion of Iraq,
seized control by
May 1

17. U.S. – Iraq War

Based on
intelligence that
Hussein had
weapons of mass
destruction
Used chemical
weapons against
the Kurds in Iraq

18. Colin Powell

Testified before the
UN that Iraq had
weapons of mass
destruction

19. War in Iraq

Unstable
government
Terrorist
insurgents and
attacks

20. War in Iraq

2007 – troop surge
approved
Today – removal
of troops as Iraq
becomes more
stable as a
democracy

21. 2008 Election

Republican – John
McCain
Democrat – Barack
Obama
First African
American president