21th century

A NEW MILENIUM: FROM OBAMA TO TRUMP TO BIDEN

POLITICS TAKES A CONSERVATIVE TURN

In the 2000 presidential election, there were two candidates: Democrat Al Gore ( Clinton’s vice
president) and the Republican George W. Bush. Neither candidate inspired much voter
enthusiasm.

On election night, Gore had a narrow lead in the electoral vote and a slim lead in the popular vote.
Early in the evening, Gore was declared the winner but Bush was called the winner of Florida, both
were withdrawn.
On the morning of November 8, there was still no new president. Four days later, the U.S. The
Supreme Court stopped the recount. The original count would stand, giving Bush Florida’s
electoral votes. On December 13, Gore conceded the election and Bush became America’s new
president.

TERRORISM STRIKES HOME

On the morning of September 11, 2001 : terrorist attack on the United States. A hijacked
airliner crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City and then a
second airliner steered into the south tower. In Washington, a third plane plowed into the nerve
center of the U.S. military.

The towers’ attack collapsed within minutes of each other, killing all those still in the buildings,
including firefighters, police and city rescue personnel.
For this safety, the Secret Service moved the president to a secure location while he stayed in
contact with Vice President Cheny and coordinated the nation’s response. The attacks launched
the nation into a new kind of war against terrorism.

NATURAL DISASTERS

America has many different geographical features and diverse weather patterns, the beauty of the
country is immense. But the country has also experienced catastrophic natural disasters that caused
devastation and heartache.
 - Hurricane Katrina

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, causing damage from central
Florida to Texas. Around 2000 people died from the storm and flooding that followed. The
Federal Emergency Management Agency was criticized for failing to prepare for the aftermath,
as was President Bush for not realizing how bad the situation was.

ENVIRONMENT

In the 21st century climate change continues to affect the environment across the U.S. New
initiatives, such as investment in renewable energy have been launched to better protect the planet
and its resources.

- Climate change

In the 1980s, scientists started to speak of global warming, caused by the “greenhouse effect”.
The rising temperatures across the planet have led to changes in the climate. As a result, the U.S.
has seen an increase in extreme weather patterns.
Barack Obama became the first president to introduce environmental laws to regulate carbon
pollution from power plants and provided investments for renewable, or green energy.

In addition, wildfires have worsened in the 21st century due to climate change. States like
California had destructive fire seasons. The wildfire of Camp Fire destroyed around 17,000
habitable structures, including homes and schools and killed more than 85 people.

- Biodiversity loss

This term refers to the extinction of plant and animal species and their reduction in certain areas.
Climate change, pollution and a decline in habitats are a few of the major factors that have
endangered wildlife and flora. Scientists estimate that one-third of all U.S. species are at risk of
extinction.

- Green Initiatives

Efforts are being made in the United States to reduce carbons emitted by human activities. In
2015, the U.S. joined many countries in agreeing to combat climate change and bring about a
low-carbon future by signing the United Nations’ Paris Agreement. Green energy and biofuels
made from sustainable sources such as animal or food waste were given an investment boost.
Americans began to think of conserving energy in their daily lives to save the environment.
However, President Trump announced in 2017, that the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris
Agreement. In response, many American governors and mayors redoubled their support of green
initiatives.

OBAMA WINS THE ELECTION

In 2009, Barack Obama became the first African American president of the United States.
Initially he inspired confidence but he would soon find it difficult to govern a country that was
increasingly polarized. Within two years, the Democrats would lose control of the House.

- Economic Collapse

In 2007, economists began to worry about the increasing number of Americans who were
struggling with their mortgage payments. The banks responded by limiting the amount of money
that could be borrowed, creating a “credit crunch”. The economy went into the worst recession
since the Great Depression: many people lost their homes, unemployment reached ten percent
and food banks became commonplace.

The recession saw Americans begin to worry about whether their children would be worse off than
themselves. The division between richest and poorest in America was marked. Many feared the
increasing challenge posed by the rise of the BRIC countries, China seemed to be the strongest
competitor to America.

- The Tea Party Movement

It was a populist, anti- Washington movement that believed the federal government had become
too powerful. Its supporters tended to oppose high taxes and had evangelical values. Many believed
Barack Obama was not fully committed to the U.S.

- Cuban Thaw

In December 2014, Obama and the Cuban President Raúl Castro announced Cuba and
America would begin to normalize relations. Obama became the first American president to visit
Cuba since 1928.
 - Immigration

America was founded on immigration, but it became a controversial subject as demographics

changed. Increasing numbers of illegal immigrants led to a complex debate centered on what
America should do with them. The recession heightened tensions as unemployment rose.

DONALD TRUMP

Although Democrat Hillary Clinton was favored to win the 2016 U.S. presidential election,
Republican Donald Trump won in the Electoral College. Since the 2016 election, US politics
have fractured and the ideological differences between those on the left and those on the right have
increased.

Trump’s presidential campaign was largely aimed at white, working-class voters. He promised to
revive fading industries and auto industries, and reduce the number of immigrants.
His criticism of Hillary Clinton’s use of private email servers while serving in the government
bolstered his campaign.

JOE BIDEN

Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election with over 81 millions votes, the most cast for. A
Single candidate in US history. Biden arrived with a plan to revive the economy for middle-class
Americans, overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and repair the damage from Trump’s divisive
term.

Georgia became a key state in the presidential race, he became the first Democrat to win Georgia
since 1992. This win gave the Democrats control of Congress by a single seat.

President Biden’s Build Back Better framework was a key part of his program. It aimed to revive
the American economy and create well-paid jobs for the middle classes, also upgrades to crumbling
infrastructure, to combat climate change and new reforms such as paid family leave.

● Rescue Plan: gave the US economy a $1.9 trillion boost to recover from COVID-19.
● Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: improve highways, bridges, electrical grid, clean
water.
● Roe v. Wade: it was a decision that guaranteed an individual’s right to choose whether to
have an abortion. In 2022 it was overturned. By the start of 2023, all Republicans
controlled, had banned abortion completely or passed restrictions limiting access to
 abortion. Polls indicated that most Americans supported a citizen’s right to safe, legal
abortion and there were protests against the decision.

Biden’s foreign policy was defined by three key conflicts: Afghanistan, Ukraine and China.

● The US completed the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. The Afghan army had
been trained by the US, but was quickly beaten by the Taliban. Afghans who had worked
with the US forces were now in severe danger but final evacuations were chaotic and many
were left behind.
● In 2022, Russians forces invaded Ukraine. Ukraine surprised experts by holding onto key
cities and mounting a fightback. The US and its allies provided vital military and financial
aid to Ukraine.
● China grew increasingly aggressive over Taiwan. The US had always promised to defend
Taiwan, but by the 2020s China seemed ready to test this resolve.

Inflation soared in 2022, partly due to the war in Ukraine and economic sanctions placed on
Russia. Wages had not grown as fast as inflation, so Americans were poorer. The Federal Reserve
raised interest rates by almost 5 percent in 12 months, making it more expensive to borrow money
in order to slow consumer spending.