Today’s Issues America and CanadaCh.8.1-8.2

• What Title would you give this picture?• What action do you see in the Photo?• What do you think this represents?• Tell me about your personal experiences with 9/11

Fight Against Terrorism

• September 11, 2001 attacks were the most destructive act of terrorism ever committed on American soil.

• 19 Arab terrorists hijacked 4 airliners.• 2 planes crashed into the World Trade Centers• 1 plane crashed into the Pentagon• The final plane crashed in a field before ever reaching its

intended target

• About 3,000 people died in the attacks. • An extremist group known as al-Qaeda was responsible

for the attacks.

•What is terrorism?

• Is the unlawful use of, or threatened use of force or violence,against individuals or property for the purpose of intimidating or causing fear for political or social ends.

Fight Against Terrorism

• After the attacks, President Bush declared a war on terrorism.

• Homeland Security was strengthened throughout the US. • Office of Homeland Security established• Airport security measures strengthened

Patriot Act

• The Patriot Act was written into law by George W. Bush in October 2001.

• It is an acronym:• Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing

Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001

• The Act expanded the power of the government to investigate any potential threats to America

Some of the ways it affected us at home.

Urban Sprawl

• Poorly planned development that spreads a city’s population over a wider and wider geographical area is called urban sprawl.

• More people are living further away from the city center and commuting everyday.

• Rural and agricultural land is taken over by suburban residential areas.

• Sprawlanta

Urban Sprawl

• Negative impacts of urban sprawl:• Commuter traffic strains a city’s infrastructure• Resources become depleted• Separates classes of people

Urban Sprawl

• Solutions to urban sprawl: • Better public transportation systems• Creating an urban growth boundary• Sustainable communities in suburbs

Women in the Government

• Today the United States has more women in leadership positions than ever before.

• Some notable women in American government include: • Sonia Sotomayor (first Hispanic and third female appointed

to the Supreme Court).• Hilary Clinton• Sandra Day O’Connor (first woman appointed to the

Supreme Court). She is currently retired.