Tyler James

Dr. Matthew Bailey

His 306
December 12, 2014
His 306 Final Exam
One of the most important events in United States history from 1945 to present is
something Americans are still dealing with today. The events that took place on September 11th,
2001, are both tragic and irreversible. The amount of causalities that occurred are even more
extensive than that of Pearl Harbor, making 9/11 the deadliest attack on U.S. soil to date. The
effects that follow the memorable event are still present in the nation today, from wars across
different nations, to new federal departments, and even the government intruding into peoples
homes and private conversations. Rising terrorism in the Middle East, caused many Americans to
go into a state of shock, fearing that more violence was soon to follow. With this rising terrorism
it caused the U.S. to change suddenly, thus altering the way our military, security forces, and
country operates on a domestic and foreign level.
One of the primary reasons for these attacks on American soil is for the U.S.s
involvement with Israel. The U.S. has been funding Israel since WWII, both militarily and
economically. Osama Bin Laden and his extremist group did not agree with U.S. policy, their
troops in Saudi Arriba, or the sanctions it had placed on Iraq. This was also not the first time the
terrorist group Al-Qaeda had attacked U.S. Soil, in 1993 the group attacked the World Trade
Center with a truck carrying an explosive device inside, intended to collapse the first tower into
the second killing thousands of people. (Lecture Notes 12-1)

On September 11th, 2001, a total of four airline planes were hijacked by nineteen terrorist,
involved with the Islamic group Al-Qaeda. These terrorist were funded and backed by the
notorious Bin Laden. The four planes were meant to be flown into three separate targets as
bombs, one into the Pentagon, one into the White house, and two into the World Trade Center.
The plane headed for the Pentagon crashed into the structure killing one hundred and twenty five
military personal as well as the sixty four on board the plane. The plane that was speculated to
have been heading for the White House was over taken by the citizens and crashed just outside of
Pennsylvania. The most devastating of them all was the attack on the World Trade Center in New
York City. Over 3,000 people died between the passengers on the plane, workers in the towers,
and service men and women on the ground. The events of this day left an everlasting effect on
the lives of the American people, one that changed not only our military/ government, but also
everyday citizens lives. (History Channel)
Domestically the U.S. changed in a way that many Americans can see in effect every day,
between travel/tourism, a newfound hatred, and constant fear of the government spying on the
people. Travel is one of the largest changes that came shortly after 9/11. Major reforms in airfare
and homeland security were installed. We see airport security become federalized, new screening
machines to check for weapons and also a spike in airfare travel cost. Many Americans felt like
their rights and privacy were being stripped from them, while on the other hand, many
Americans saw this as necessary to stop any future attacks. Across America there was a
newfound hatred for any and all Muslims or Islamic people. Hate crimes ran rampant in the years
to follow 9/11, negative comments, beatings, and extra screening at airports. The sad part that
many Americans did not realize was that many of these Muslims hated these terrorists just as
badly as we did and even left their countries just to escape radicals. The most frightening of the

reforms was the Patriot Act. This act was enforced in October 2001, shortly after the 9/11
attacks. The Patriot Act, in short, gave the Department of Homeland Security the ability to hold
immigrants for extended periods of time, search peoples homes and businesses without consent,
and also gave the FBI the right to wiretap phones and emails. Many citizens as well as
government officials believed that it infringed on their civil liberties, and whether you believe it
did or not, it achieved the goal of keeping this country safe from terrorism as it continues to do to
this day. While not all of these were welcomed, they are important to note because they
contributed in shaping the country into what it is today. (PBS)
While the domestic changes made post 9/11 had its ups and its downs in terms of success,
the foreign actions left a lot of Americans confused and irritated. Although most Americans
agreed that action was needed against the terrorists responsible for 9/11, few if any could have
predicted the outcome the way it has unfolded up to today. Operation Enduring Freedom was an
action issued by President George W. Bush to combat the War on Terror that was unfolding
after the attacks of 9/11. The plan was to be in and out, and put a quick stop to Al-Qaeda and
Taliban forces. While Bush claimed a victory in little more than two months, American forces are
still present in the Middle East today. (Lecture/ Video notes) Over the years, this delay to remove
troops from these Middle Eastern countries has infuriated the American people. Some may not
realize the troop presence is necessary to prevent further attacks, without the troops there to train
the natives of the country, Al-Qaeda and other would eventually rise up again. (Wiki)
The importance of the actions that happened during and after the events that follow 9/11,
mark the beginning to a new America. It is important to note that although there was a
tremendous loss in America it did not break the country or its spirit. However, it brought about a
change that was needed in order to protect this country and allow it to grow. Although some of

the changes and actions taken by the Bush administration have been and will continue to be
criticized, these actions, extreme as some of them may be, were needed to protect our country
and its citizens.
The significance of the 9/11 attacks mark a dark day for United States history. It is
regarded as one of the most tragic days in all of U.S. history. The rise of terrorism brought about
a nation that feared for their life every time they got on an airplane, or even left the house. To
combat these fears the government passed new laws like the Patriot Act, and started a new war
on terror. September 11th, 2001, is a day that will be burned into the memory of Americans,
similar to events like the JFK assassination and Pearl Harbor. Its significance to not only the
families of those effected, but also America as a whole will be remembered forever.

Works Cited
"Operation Enduring Freedom." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Nov. 2014. Web. 11 Dec.
2014.
Staff, History. "9/11 Attacks." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 8 Dec. 2014.
Villemez, Jason. "9/11 to Now: Ways We Have Changed." PBS. PBS, 14 Sept. 2011. Web. 10
Dec. 2014.