Terrorism Before 9/11
What term describes violence or threats intended to create fear and advance political or social goals?
Terrorism
What type of American power did the World Trade Center symbolize?
Economic or financial power
Who was the target of Operation Neptune Spear?
Osama bin Laden
What large evacuation effort involved civilian boat operators transporting people away from Manhattan?
The September 11 boatlift, or Great Boat Lift
The Aviation and Transportation Security Act created this agency to oversee transportation security.
Transportation Security Administration, or TSA
What terrorist organization, led by Osama bin Laden, carried out the September 11 attacks?
Al-Qaeda
Why did the Pentagon have symbolic importance as a target?
It housed the Department of Defense headquarters and represented American military power.
Why did officials shut down U.S. airspace during the attacks? (Operations Yellow Ribbon)
To reduce the risk of additional hijacked aircraft being used in attacks.
What did NATO’s Article 5 response mean?
NATO treated an attack on one member as an attack on the alliance; collective defense
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 created this Cabinet department by bringing multiple agencies together.
Department of Homeland Security, or DHS
Aside from the Sept 11th attacks, what other attacks did Al-Qaeda have on American?
2000 USS Cole Attack; 1993 WTC Bombing
How many aircraft were hijacked, and how many hijackers participated in the September 11 attacks?
4 aircraft and 19 hijackers
Which Twin Tower collapsed first, even though it was struck second?
South Tower
Identify one response connected to Atlantic County and explain how it helped.
Accept one: the 177th Fighter Wing flew armed patrols to protect the skies;
Ed Conrow joined rescue efforts at Ground Zero;
Coast Guard personnel supported medical evacuations.
This law expanded investigative authorities such as surveillance and wiretaps, prompting debate about privacy and civil liberties.
USA PATRIOT Act
Attackers may target civilians because public fear and attention can put pressure on these decision makers.
government leaders
Identify 2 types of preparation that show the attacks required long-term coordination.
Any two: financing, travel, flight training, planning meetings, or surveillance.
How did learning about the other attacks influence Flight 93 passengers’ decisions?
They recognized that hijacked aircraft were being used as weapons and attempted to retake control from the hijackers.
Identify one role FEMA played and one role the Red Cross played after the attacks.
FEMA coordinated federal disaster assistance, including search and rescue. The Red Cross provided humanitarian assistance such as food, shelter, counseling, or family grants.
This 2001 measure authorized the president to use military force against those responsible for the September 11 attacks.
Authorization for Use of Military Force, or AUMF
The Oklahoma City bombing challenges the idea that terrorism threatening Americans must always come from outside the country. Explain why.
McVeigh was an American attacker motivated by grievances against the U.S. government, making it an example of domestic terrorism
Name two grievances bin Laden used to justify calling for violence against Americans.
U.S. military presence in the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia; U.S. support for Israel; and U.S. sanctions on Iraq
Put these events in chronological order: the Pentagon was struck, the South Tower was struck, and the North Tower was struck.
North Tower struck → South Tower struck → Pentagon struck
What did the United Nations call on countries to do?
called for cooperation to bring perpetrators and supporters to justice and prevent terrorism
Why might someone support preventing terrorism but still oppose the USA PATRIOT Act?
They might believe its expanded government powers threaten privacy and civil liberties or lack adequate safeguards against abuse.