NAME:__________________________________________ US History II

Modern America Test Study Guide

I. People/Groups/Events to Know!
Importance/Role
President George Bush President of the United States during the 9/11 Attacks.

Osama bin Laden

Leader of Al Qaeda…responsible for coordinating the 9/11 attacks.
Department of
Homeland Security Created in order to prevent future terrorist attacks and protect America's borders
Patriot Act
The Patriot Act was created on October 26th, 2001 as a way to help the government to
prevent future terrorist attacks by increasing the ability to conduct surveillance on
American citizens.
9/11
The 9/11 terrorist attacks that took place on September 11th, 2001 claimed the lives of
nearly 3,000 people, including hundreds of police officers, fire fighters, and civilians. 
They were the worst terrorist attacks in modern world history

II. Domestic Issues

Issue Questions
Immigration -What countries/regions are most immigrants coming from today?
Asia and Latin America

-Why is immigration a domestic issue today? What problems have emerged as a result?
More immigrants are coming into the US illegally.

Global -What are the causes of global climate change? Carbon emissions
Climate
Change -Why is global climate change a domestic issue today? What problems have emerged as a
result?
Ice caps melting, ocean levels rising, extreme weather (hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding,
drought), destruction of plant and animal life.

Health/Global -What has led to the rise in global pandemics?

Pandemics Increased domestic and international travel.

III. Globalization
a. Definition: The linking of nations through trade, information, technologies, and communication

b. Provide three examples of globalization: production of t shirts, production of a cup of Starbuck’s,

Thanksgiving.
 c. The challenge of globalization…
How has it “helped” our country? (3 Ideas)
-improvement of communications
-availability of a wide variety of foreign goods and
services.
-helps companies develop products by relying on
goods and services from other countries
(Starbucks)
How has it “hurt” our country? (3 ideas)
-outsourcing jobs to other countries where labor
costs are lower.
-when jobs in local factories are cut back, cities
decline
-high tech and service jobs are a bigger part of
the economy.

IV. Technology
Technology: Impact on modern society:
Jet Engine Increased domestic and international travel for business and pleasure.

Satellite Systems GPS devices and cheaper, more convenient way to communicate (cell phones,
satellite TV, Google Maps, etc.)

Internet Greater access to news and other information (online shopping, selling, research,
gaming, social media, etc.)

Social Media Increases access to information and communication

Computer Personal computers are now widely available (standard issue to WJCC middle
schoolers!)

Define Decreased Regional Variation:

This means the regional variations that existed in the past are starting to disappear because each region of
the country has access to the same information.