POTUS

George W. Bush: AP US History Rundown

George W. Bush served as the 43rd POTUS from 2001 to 2009. His presidency was largely defined by the September 11th Terrorist Attacks|9/11 terrorist attacks and the subsequent “War on Terror.”

Election of 2000: A highly contested election against Al Gore that was ultimately decided by the Supreme Court in Bush v. Gore.
September 11th Terrorist Attacks (9/11): Al-Qaeda terrorists attacked the United States, leading to a significant shift in US foreign and domestic policy.
War in Afghanistan (2001-2021): Initiated in response to 9/11, with the goal of dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban regime from power.
Invasion of Iraq (2003): Launched under the premise that Iraq possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)|WMDs and had links to terrorism.
Hurricane Katrina (2005): A major natural disaster that exposed weaknesses in disaster response and federal emergency management.
Great Recession (2008): A severe economic downturn that began in 2008 and had a significant impact on the global economy.

No Child Left Behind Act (2002): A comprehensive education reform bill that aimed to improve educational standards and accountability.
Patriot Act (2001): Passed in response to the 9/11 attacks, it expanded the surveillance powers of the government in the name of national security.
Medicare Part D (2003): Added a prescription drug benefit to Medicare and Medicaid.
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (Bush Tax Cuts): Significant tax cuts, primarily benefiting wealthier Americans.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: A stimulus package enacted in response to the Great Recession; signed into law near the end of Bush’s term, but formulated during it.

Republican Party: A member of the Republican Party
“Compassionate Conservatism”: A political philosophy that sought to combine conservative principles with social compassion.
Neo-Conservatives: Individuals within the Bush administration who advocated for an assertive foreign policy and the promotion of democracy abroad.

Increased National Debt: The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with tax cuts, led to a significant increase in the national debt.
Enhanced Security Measures: The 9/11 attacks resulted in increased security measures at airports, borders, and other public spaces.
Polarized Political Climate: The Bush administration’s policies and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq led to a more polarized political climate in the United States.
War on Terror: The “War on Terror” reshaped US foreign policy and led to military interventions in multiple countries.
Housing Market Crisis: Deregulation and lax oversight of the financial industry contributed to the Great Recession and a major housing market collapse.