September 11 attacks

Definition

The September 11 attacks, also known as 9/11, were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks carried out against the United States on September 11, 2001. These attacks were a major event that led to the initiation of the War on Terror, a global military campaign led by the U.S. government.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The September 11 attacks involved the hijacking of four commercial airliners, two of which were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.
2. The attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and caused extensive damage to the World Trade Center, which ultimately collapsed.
3. The attacks were carried out by 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden.
4. The September 11 attacks were a defining moment in modern U.S. history, leading to increased security measures, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, and the initiation of the War on Terror.
5. The aftermath of the September 11 attacks saw a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, with the country launching military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq to combat terrorism.

Review Questions

• Describe the key events and outcomes of the September 11 attacks.
  • The September 11 attacks involved the hijacking of four commercial airliners, two of which were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and caused extensive damage to the World Trade Center, which ultimately collapsed. The attacks were carried out by 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden. The September 11 attacks were a defining moment in modern U.S. history, leading to increased security measures, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, and the initiation of the War on Terror.
• Explain the relationship between the September 11 attacks and the War on Terror.
  • The September 11 attacks were a major catalyst for the initiation of the War on Terror, a global military campaign led by the U.S. government. In the aftermath of the attacks, the U.S. launched military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq to combat terrorism, with the goal of disrupting and dismantling terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda. The War on Terror has had far-reaching consequences, including increased security measures, the expansion of government surveillance powers through the Patriot Act, and the deployment of U.S. troops to various regions around the world.
• Analyze the long-term impact of the September 11 attacks on U.S. domestic and foreign policy.
  • The September 11 attacks had a profound and lasting impact on U.S. domestic and foreign policy. Domestically, the attacks led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the implementation of increased security measures, such as enhanced airport screening and surveillance. Internationally, the attacks prompted the U.S. to launch the War on Terror, a global military campaign that has involved military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other regions. The War on Terror has had significant geopolitical and economic consequences, including strained relations with some allies, the diversion of resources from other policy priorities, and the ongoing threat of terrorism. The September 11 attacks also contributed to a shift in U.S. foreign policy towards a more assertive, unilateral approach in addressing perceived threats to national security.

Related terms

Al-Qaeda: The Islamist extremist organization responsible for planning and executing the September 11 attacks, led by Osama bin Laden.

Terrorism: The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

Patriot Act: A U.S. law passed in the wake of the September 11 attacks that expanded the government's surveillance and investigative powers to combat terrorism.