September 11th 2001 Dbq Essay

On September 11th, 2001 a series of deadly attacks were committed against the United States by the terrorist organization of Al-Qaeda. Terrorists from the group hijacked four planes and planned to destroy the targeted areas of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and some theorize the last plane was set on course to the White House. However, this final plane did not crash into its intended target, but was brought down in Pennsylvania when passengers retaliated. The events of September 11th resulted in 2,996 fatalities and 6,000 people injured. As a response to this, the United States government passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force which granted the President the right to use all "necessary and appropriate force" against those

At the time of the attacks, president George W. Bush was visiting Emma Booker Elementary School. In Document A, Bush expresses in a speech almost immediately after the planes hit the towers a need to “conduct a full-scale investigation to hunt down and to find those folks who committed this act.” This reflects most of the nation’s attitude of entering the battle against terrorism as soon as the news spread of the awful incidents that had occurred. The focus of the general public was on punishing those who took part in the attack as well as the Taliban leaders who harbored these terrorists. This caused the Authorization for Use of Military Force, Document B, to be passed a week later, on September 18th. It was passed almost unanimously, with the only representative who voted against the bill being Barbara Lee. This public law gave the president the authority to enact the revenge that the nation desperately seeked immediately following the attacks. The AUMF was constructed to appear as a solution to the war on terror in America, and allowed the president to appear as the leader in command who would defeat the violations of human

In the years following September 11th, 2001, American military spending has skyrocketed (Document F). The purpose of this document is to exhibit how American resources are being more focused on the military following the attacks. In 2001, the United States spent around 400 billion dollars to support the military. The graph shows a sharp incline from then until 2011, where military spending was up to about 700 billion. This statistic can be connected to the Authorization for Use of Military Force, as America has become more focused on militan efforts due to the events of September 11th. Another long lasting effect of the authorization has been the establishment of Guantanamo Bay. Opened in 2002 by Bush’s administration, the prison camp became a staple in the American War on Terror. Guantanamo Bay remains a highly debated topic in America as some call it a necessity while others criticize the camp for inhuman treatment of prisoners. Many controversial long term effects have been created due to the Authorization for Use of Military Force, and it has left a significant impact on America’s involvement in the War on