The American war on terror began on September 11, 2001 with the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. In response, President Bush launched the war in Afghanistan to eliminate Al Qaeda and the Taliban. The U.S. later invaded Iraq in 2003 seeking to eliminate Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction and spread democracy. After years of war with thousands of casualties and over a trillion dollars spent, support declined as Iraq showed little progress. The wars strained alliances and divided Americans on how to improve national security against emerging 21st century threats.

1. Using documents A-G and your own knowledge, describe the development of the
American war on terror from September 11, 2001 to the present.
Doc A
“On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our
country. Americans have known wars -- but for the past 136 years, they have been wars
on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941. Americans have known the casualties of
war -- but not at the center of a great city on a peaceful morning. Americans have known
surprise attacks -- but never before on thousands of civilians.”
- From an address to a joint session of congress by George W. Bush on September 20,
2001
Doc B
“There are few greater threats than a terrorist attack with WMD. To forestall or prevent
such hostile acts by our adversaries, the United States will, if necessary, act preemptively
in exercising our inherent right of self-defense. The United States will not resort to force
in all cases to preempt emerging threats. Our preference is that nonmilitary actions
succeed. And no country should ever use preemption as a pretext for aggression.”
- From the National Security Strategy, 2002
Doc C
“Our immediate strategy is to eliminate terrorist threats abroad so we do not have to face
them here at home. The theory here is straightforward: Terrorists are less likely to
endanger our security if they're worried about their own security. When terrorists spend
their day struggling to avoid death or capture they are less capable of arming and training
to commit new attacks. We will keep the terrorists on the run until they have nowhere left
to hide.”
- From a speech on terrorism by George W. Bush on March 8, 2005
Doc D
This war has now lasted longer than World War I, World War II, or the Civil War. Nearly
four thousand Americans have given their lives. Thousands more have been wounded.
Even under the best case scenarios, this war will cost American taxpayers well over a
trillion dollars. And where are we for all of this sacrifice? We are less safe and less able
to shape events abroad. We are divided at home, and our alliances around the world have
been strained. The threats of a new century have roiled the waters of peace and stability,
and yet America remains anchored in Iraq.
- From The World Beyond Iraq, a speech by Barack Obama on March 18, 2008.

2. Doc E
Sec. 101. COUNTERTERRORISM FUND
(a) Establishment; Availability- There is hereby established in the Treasury of the United
States a separate fund to be known as the `Counterterrorism Fund', amounts in which
shall remain available without fiscal year limitation--
(1) to reimburse any Department of Justice component for any costs incurred in
connection with--
(A) reestablishing the operational capability of an office or facility that has been damaged
or destroyed as the result of any domestic or international terrorism incident;
(B) providing support to counter, investigate, or prosecute domestic or international
terrorism, including, without limitation, paying rewards in connection with these
activities; and
(C) conducting terrorism threat assessments of Federal agencies and their facilities; and
(2) to reimburse any department or agency of the Federal Government for any costs
incurred in connection with detaining in foreign countries individuals accused of acts of
terrorism that violate the laws of the United States.
- From the USA Patriot Act of 2001
Doc E
With all of the attenuated emotional, psychological and spiritual trauma that has come
with seeing death and dealing it out, I have also been plagued with the unanswered
questions that our government is asking itself concerning solutions for the complex
situation that we have put ourselves in.
-From the journal of Sgt. Darrell Griffin Jr.
Doc F

3. Doc G
Doc I

4. Bibliography
Doc A – Address to a joint session of congress by George W. Bush on September 20,
2001 – This excerpt shows how the idea of local war is so new to Americans.
Doc B – National Security Strategy, 2002 – This shows that, at first, the United States
had no intention of using unnecessary military force.
DocC – A speech on terrorism by George W. Bush on March 8, 2005 – This excerpt
shows the general reason why the war was started and why it continued.
Doc D – The World Beyond Iraq, a speech by Barack Obama on March 18, 2008 – This
excerpt shows that after years in Iraq, so much has been given with little in return, so
something has to change.
Doc E - USA Patriot Act of 2001 (H.R. 3162) – This law shows how willing America
was to spend money to get rid of the terrorists.
Doc F - Journal of Sgt. Darrell Griffin Jr. (Unknown date) – This shows the doubt that
some of the soldiers had about their orders after having to kill people.
Doc G - http://cagle.msnbc.com/news/IraqVote/6.asp - This cartoon illustrates the hopes
that Americans had that allowing democracy in Iraq would help it spread throughout the
middle east.
Doc H – http://www.capveterans.com/terrorism/id6.html - This cartoon helps to illustrate
how detrimental the arguments over the war in Iraq are to America’s success there.
Doc I - http://www.yolkstalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/twin-towers.jpg - This
photograph shows the devastation of the attack on the twin towers on 9/11, 2001