The document summarizes several key social, political, and cultural changes in the United States over recent decades. It discusses the aging of the American population and debates over Social Security/Medicare. It outlines the continued dominance of Republicans and Democrats as the two major parties. It also summarizes the controversial 2000 Bush v. Gore election that came down to a few hundred votes in Florida. The document next assess the impact of growing racial/ethnic diversity through topics like affirmative action and the No Child Left Behind Act. Finally, it outlines the major effects of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as increased security measures domestically through acts like the Patriot Act.

1. Identify and assess the impact of social, political, and cultural
changes in the United States.
Politics in America Today
• People are living longer
o Graying of America
• Want to protect Social Security and Medicare
Republicans and Democrats
• Still the two major parties
• Republican Reagan dominated the 80s
• Clinton ruled the 90s
2000 Election
Bush v. Gore
• Electoral vote
was close
• It all came
down to the state of
Florida
• Bush won the
state by 300 votes
and Gore demanded
a recount by hand
because of voting
issues
• Even though
Gore won the popular vote by 500,000 Bush won the
electoral vote and became president
Assess the impact of growing racial and ethnic diversity in
American society.

2. Affirmative Action
• Choosing minorities over whites for admission into
college or employment
o Still a consideration today
o Attempt to make up for previous discrimination
• Bakke v. University of California challenged this practice
o “Reverse discrimination”
o Supreme Court agreed that any type of quota system
is discriminatory
o Can still use race and gender as a factor in decision
No Child Left Behind
• Education reform passed by Bush
• Schools must be accountable for all children to learn
required information
• Very controversial because the focus is on “high-stakes”
testing
How have the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
affected America?
War on Terror
• Embassy bombings along with 9/11 attack on the
World Trade Center led the US to fight terrorism
aggressively
• A Terrorist network is a group of people that do not
represent a country that use violence to make a political
statement
• US fears nuclear proliferation
o Rogue nations and terrorists will get their hands on
nuclear weapons
• Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for
attacks
• Supposedly hiding in Afghanistan which was controlled
by the Taliban

3. o US invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the Taliban
War on Iraq
• Government officials believed Iraq had Weapons of Mass
Destruction (WMDs)
• US invaded Iraq and removed Saddam Hussein from
power
o Pre-emptive strike
• Later Americans found out that the intelligence was
“faulty” and Iraq had no weapons
• US troops remain in Iraq attempting to stabilize the
region
Changes at Home
• Patriot Act
o Allows government officials to monitor your phone
calls, etc. without a search warrant
o Some believe this is a violation of your rights
• Department of Homeland Security
o Newest cabinet level department
o Aids police, sheriffs, etc.