Teacher Notes MODULE 28.pptx

American History
The United States in the 21st Century
Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
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At the dawn of the 21st Century, the U.S. has been confronted with serious social,
political, economic, educational, environmental, and cultural issues at home and
abroad. New technologies have brought much of the world closer together, solving
some problems and creating others.

American History
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
The United States in the 21st Century
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National Security and Public Safety
LESSON 1
LESSON 2 Foreign Policy
LESSON 3 Poverty and Social Concerns
LESSON 4 Conservation and the Environment
LESSON 5 Education
What role should the United States play in global affairs?
LESSON 6 Globalization and Cultural Diffusion

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LESSON 1
The U.S. government strives to safeguard the public while preserving individual
liberties.

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LESSON 1
Terrorism and Security
• Terrorist acts target Americans in the U.S. and around the world.
• Sept. 11, 2001, deadliest terror act in U.S. history; more than 3,000 people killed
• Congress approves USA Patriot Act to protect U.S. from future attacks
– critics: law erodes basic freedoms of Americans
Foreign Sources of Terrorism
• Internet, social media allow terrorist to inspire violence more broadly
• 2015, Muhammad Abdulazeez kills 4 soldiers in Tennessee
– inspired by radical writings, videos on Internet
• 2013, Boston Marathon bombing also inspired by radical teachings on Internet
– Victims speak out, push back; “Boston Strong”
Continued…

American History
Lesson 1
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Terrorism and Security (continued)
Domestic Terrorism
• Americans with political and social agendas commit acts of terror
• 2012, white supremacist shoots and kills 6 people at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin
• 2014, Southern Poverty Law Center identifies 784 hates groups in U.S.
– Many don’t directly advocate violence, but inspire others to commit violence
• Some individuals are not affiliated, inspired by any particular group
– commit acts of terror for personal reasons
– 2010, Joseph Stack flies airplane into IRS building

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LESSON 1
Surveillance and Privacy
• Intelligence agencies, law enforcement use technology to track threats
• Sometimes ordinary citizens caught up in surveillance
Technology and Security
• CCTV, drones, smartphones record activity in public places
– some assured by cameras, others feel invasion of privacy
– can help solve, prevent crime
Keeping Tabs on Americans
• National Security Agency (NSA) monitors civilian communications
– Monitoring increased with threat of terrorism
– 2013, extent of monitoring exposed by media, shocks many Americans
• 2015, court finds NSA in violation of USA Patriot Act
• Americans conflicted over privacy rights, security needs
Continued…

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LESSON 1
Crime and Public Safety
• Since 1990s, violent crime decreased in U.S.
Incarceration and Drug Laws
• “three strikes laws” create stiffer sentences
– Critics: racial bias; 75% of all drug sentences are African Americans
• U.S. jails the largest percentage of its people, 2.3 million people
• 2011, drug sentences 50% of inmates
• Laws against recreational drug use loosening in many states
Law Enforcement under Scrutiny
• Smartphones, video record police actions
• Police accused of inappropriate use of force in Ferguson, MO, and other places
• Police accused of racial profiling—suspecting someone based on race or ethnicity
Continued…

American History
Lesson 1
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Crime and Public Safety (continued)
Guns and American Society
• 2013, more than 11,000 killed by gunfire in U.S.
• Some states pass “open carry” laws; expand gun-owner rights
• Debate over the Second Amendment at the heart of disagreements over guns
– NRA: gun-control laws violate Second Amendment
– others: amendment does not give right to own personal weapons
– Supreme Court: individuals have right to own guns
Human Trafficking
• 17,000 people are brought to U.S. each year against their will, human trafficking
– many are women and children
– forced to work with no hope of freedom
• Traffickers prey on people’s desperation for work, better life in the U.S.

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Foreign Policy
LESSON 2
In order to keep the peace whenever possible and safeguard U.S. interests,
policymakers engage in a range of relationships with other countries.

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Foreign Policy
LESSON 2
The United States as a World Leader
• Some countries look to the U.S. as beacon of freedom; others resent U.S. power, influence
Political, Military, and Economic Benefits
• National interest, guiding force behind U.S. foreign policy
• U.S. supports growth of democracy in developing countries
– achieved through diplomacy, foreign aid, military
• 2015, U.S. military budget $575 billion, 20% of federal budget
• Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration work to protect U.S. global
economic interests
Continued…

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Lesson 2
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The United States as a World Leader (continued)
Working with International Organizations
• U.S. key member of UN since its inception
– sometimes UN efforts run counter to U.S. national interest
• Americans opinions of U.S. involvement in UN split:
– some want withdraw from UN
– Others want more alignment between U.S., UN foreign policy
• 2000, UN Millennium Summit to address problems with poverty, hunger, disease
– By 2015, world hunger drops
• U.S. part of NATO; military intervention and peacekeeping in world hotspots
Humanitarian Aid
• U.S. provides humanitarian aid to help with crises around the world
– Aid includes money, supplies, and experts
• United States Agency for International Development (USAID)responsible for providing aid
– 1% of the federal budget
– Provide support for global healthcare, including AIDS relief
Continued…

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Lesson 2
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The United States as a World Leader (continued)
Human Rights
• U.S. promotes and defends human rights around the world
– tools: aid money, media exposure, economic penalties
– uneven history of promoting and defending human rights

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Foreign Policy
LESSON 2
Regional Policies
• Department of State handles foreign relations; policy differs by region and country
Western Hemisphere
• Canada: close ally; share language and heritage
• Mexico, Central America: relationship complicated by drug trade, illegal immigration
• Caribbean: relations with Cuba easing
• South America: mostly good relations, except for Venezuela
Europe and Russia
• The U.S. and Europe are bound by cultural, economic, and traditional ties
– EU increases Europe’s economic power
• 1991, collapse of communism in Soviet Union eases tensions with Russia, Eastern Europe
• 1999, Vladimir Putin comes to power in Russia
– stifles democratic reforms
– 2012, annexes Crimea, creates unrest in Ukraine
– U.S., EU impose sanctions on Russia
Continued…

American History
Lesson 2
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Regional Policies (continued)
East Asia
• 1972, Nixon helps thaw relations with China
• 2009, China claims control of important shipping lanes, fishing grounds East China Sea
• 2010, China becomes world’s largest exporter; huge U.S. trade deficit
– China holds $1.26 trillion in U.S. debt
• U.S. has large military presence in South Korea, protection from North Korea
• U.S. has strong economic, diplomatic ties with countries of Southeast Asia
– Islamic militants in Indonesia a concern
Middle East
• Situation in Middle East complicated by U.S. dependence on foreign oil
• 2011, civil war begins in Syria; 310,000 people killed, millions of refugees
• ISIS rises out of the chaos in Syria; want to create a strict Islamic state
– uses brutal tactics to intimidate opponents
• Iraq: unstable after withdrawal of U.S. troops; ISIS takes territory in north
• 2015, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran to reduce nuclear program; ease sanctions
• U.S., Israel strong allies; 2014, $3.9 billion in military aid
• Turkey is the only NATO member in the region
Continued…

American History
Lesson 2
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Regional Policies (continued)
Africa
• North Africa: unrest has led to new governments in many countries
– in some countries U.S. aid is welcome; others U.S. is deeply distrusted
• Boko Haram—Islamic militants based in Nigeria; allied with ISIS
– 2014, kidnap 276 Christian schoolgirls, sell them into slavery
• U.S. has close ties to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya and South Africa

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Poverty and Social Concerns
LESSON 3
Although the United States is often called the richest country in the world, poverty
grips millions of Americans, and the middle class is shrinking.

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LESSON 3
Poverty in America
• No social hierarchy in U.S.; social class determined by wealth
• 2015, poverty threshold is annual income of $24,250
Some Causes of Poverty
• Illness, natural disasters, economic downturns, lack of skills, discrimination create poverty
– limited access, cost of childcare adds to the problem for parents
• Education system failing many Americans; lower literacy, lower wages
Employment, Unemployment, and Homelessness
• Many Americans below poverty line have jobs
– working poor; low wages, few benefits, no health insurance
• states and cities have raised minimum wage to help working poor
– no raise to national minimum wage since 2009
– critics: raising minimum wage would hurt businesses, kill jobs
• 1980s, welfare cuts, closing mental health facilities worsens homelessness
– 750,000 homeless Americans; 250,000 children
Continued…

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Lesson 3
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Poverty in America (continued)
The Widening Income Gap
• Income gap widening between rich and poor; middle class shrinking
• Causes of widening income gap:
– tax policy; increase in costs for child care, healthcare, higher education
– declining labor unions and globalization; move away from manufacturing
– CEO pay
• Experts believe both rich and poor will suffer from income inequality
– high income workers spend smaller percentage of money; less money flows
through economy

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LESSON 3
Money and Influence
• 2012 presidential election, each candidate raises and spends $1 billion
• Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, Supreme Court rules corporations, labor unions
have First Amendment rights
– can spend money to advocate for, against political candidates
• Political action committee (PAC) merges campaign donations into general fund
– donations to candidate limited; can spend unlimited funds on their own
• 2010, FEC allows Super PACs; can collect unlimited funds, spend unlimited funds on ads
– not allowed to coordinate directly with candidates

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LESSON 3
The Role of Government
• One of the responsibilities of the U.S. government is the welfare of Americans
Arguments For and Against
• Critics: welfare programs lead to large government, debt, erodes freedoms
• Proponents: government needs to expand role to solve problems; poverty, healthcare,
retirement
Government Programs
• Social Security Administration, meet people’s basic needs
– Workers fund through taxes
– supports Social Security, Medicare for elderly
• Social Security, Medicare in danger of running out of funds
• 2010, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
– increase accessibility, affordability of health insurance
– by 2015, number of uninsured drops by 11.4 million
• cities, states tackling problem of homelessness; Utah decreased by 91%

American History
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Conservation and the Environment
LESSON 4
Although rich in natural resources, the American environment is being stressed by
various factors.

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LESSON 4
The American Environment
• Balancing U.S. economic and environmental needs is essential to the future
The State of Our Environment
• Resources in U.S. not distributed evenly; people don’t always live near needed resources
– conflicts over unequal distribution of resources
• Fragile environment under threat; growing population, drought, pollution
• Misuse of the environment by humans causes damage
Law and the Environment
• Federal agencies put in charge of conservation, resource management
• Business, individuals protest agencies they feel have overstepped their authority
– eminent domain; government taking land for public good
• Clean Air Act of 1963, control air pollution
• 1970, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), strengthen, enforce environmental laws
• 1972, Clean Water Act, addressing water pollution
• 1966, Endangered Species Act, protect threatened wildlife species
• States and nonprofit groups work to protect environment

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LESSON 4
Challenges for Today and Tomorrow
• Challenges grow as economy grows; balance between conservation and growth
A Global Concern
• Society depends on fossil fuels
• Gas from burning fossil fuel are building up in atmosphere
– greenhouse effect contributes to global warming
– global climate change, characterized by higher temperatures, extreme weather
– differing opinions about climate change
A Drilling Issue
• New methods developed to find needed fossil fuels; fracking
• Fracking remains controversial; pollution of groundwater, earthquakes
Continued…

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Lesson 4
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Challenges for Today and Tomorrow (continued)
Biodiversity and Bees
• Lack of biodiversity could hurt the environment
– biodiversity helps ecosystems recover from stress, disruption
– biodiversity helps stabilize food supply
• Decline of honeybee population; lost 40% of bee colonies in U.S.
– critical top pollination of some food crops
– causes: loss of wildflowers, pesticides, disease, parasites, harsh weather
– Pollinator Task Force looking for solution

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LESSON 4
Some Changes for the Better
• Advances in communication have allowed people to be better informed about the environment
• Many Americans recycle to save energy and resources
• Federal laws, private organizations work to restore wetlands
• Some dams being removed to restore natural ecosystems
• Americans buying more energy-efficient vehicles; hybrid vehicles, electric cars popular
• Community gardens, parklands, green spaces in cities

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Education
LESSON 5
Because resources are limited and American society is extremely diverse, educational
institutions struggle to teach all of America’s children and young people.

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Education
LESSON 5
The Changing Classroom
• Digital revolution transforms education; Internet, tablets
– interactivity provides immediate feedback
– easier tracking of student, class progress
• Flipped classroom; content delivered outside classroom, usually online
– class time devoted to active learning—research, group work, discussion,
individualized instruction
– critics: not all students have equal access to technology; lack self-direction

American History
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Education
LESSON 5
Challenges for Education
• Some of the challenges encountered by teachers in early America still exist today
Funding Primary and Secondary Education
• Most states fund public schools through property taxes
– schools in poorer areas receive less funding
– Poor districts: cuts to art education, higher student-teacher ratios
– school vouchers—public funds given to parents for private school education
– Proponents: increases competition, improves under-performing schools
– Critics: deprives public schools of needed funds
Teaching All of America’s Kids
• Federal government, states focusing more on supporting low income students
• Needs of ethnically diverse schools requires additional training and funding; ELL
• Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) requires schools to educate students with special needs
– Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), instruction meets student’s needs
Continued…

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Lesson 5
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Challenges for Education (continued)
Learning and Testing
• Many ideas for school reform to improve performance
• 2002, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) enacted by President George W. Bush
– schools held accountable for student performance on standardized reading, math tests
– critics: schools only focusing on reading, math; Congress never funded NCLB
• 2009, Race to the Top (RTT); rewards schools for progress
The Cost of Higher Education
• 2001–2012, cost for public higher education rises by 40%; private by 28%
• Causes: lack of state funding, cost of high-tech fields, university expansion
• About 65% of students lack loans to pay for college; 2012, students owe $1 trillion

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Globalization and Cultural Diffusion
LESSON 6
Modern communication and transportation technologies have created an international
economic and cultural community.

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LESSON 6
The Global Economic Community
• Globalization—international integration of ideas, economies, and cultures.
– opening of new markets, resources
Technology and Global Trade
• Computer technology, Internet, people have access to vast amounts of information
– communication, new ways to share information over long distances
– Business: improved productivity; outsourcing
A Key to the Success of Free Trade
• Free trade—no restrictions of imports, exports
• Comparative Advantage—nations will specialize in goods, service that they produce efficiently
– trade for goods, services other countries produce better
Partners and Competitors
• Countries form trade alliances to promote economic growth; NAFTA

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LESSON 6
Challenges of Globalization
• Globalization has led to some negative impacts on workers and the environment
Labor Issues
• Workers in many countries suffer from the effects of globalization
– low wages, dangerous conditions, child labor, exploitation
• Some U.S. jobs lost to globalization; decline in union membership
Environmental Concerns
• Kyoto Protocol, international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
– not ratified by the U.S.
• Copenhagen Accord, calls for continuation of Kyoto Protocol
– significantly reduce emission by 2020
Continued…

American History
Lesson 6
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Challenges of Globalization (continued)
Ethical Issues in International Business
• International companies must confront ethical issues
– buyers may boycott based on actions of subcontractors
– company investments help support oppressive governments
– costs of making deals; corruption, bribes
– profits vs. environmental and community impact

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LESSON 6
Diffusion on a Global Scale
• Cultural diffusion—the way cultural practices, traits spread
– technology aids cultural diffusion
Sharing Culture
• Popular culture—mainstream culture spread through the media; pop culture
– 1920s, spread by radio, movies
– Today, internet, movies, television spread pop culture globally
• Technology helps spread American culture in particular
An Example of Cultural Diffusion
• Spread of hip-hop culture illustrates cultural diffusion
– Youth identify with themes, styles
– Movies, internet, music, fashion, dance help spread hip-hop culture
• Youth in some countries combine hip-hop culture with their own cultural traditions

American History
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Teacher Notes MODULE 28.pptx

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