APUSH Ch. 41

One of the pretexts for the attack on Iraq; Saddam Hussein had refused to cooperate with UN weapons inspections, a condition of the Iraq's defeat in the Gulf War; although UN inspectors were unable to find evidence of their existence, the US and their British allies launched an invasion of Iraq in 2003, leading to the fall of Baghdad and the end of Saddam's rule.

Formed by Clinton, a "New Democrat", to move his party towards pro-growth, strong defense, and anticrime policies, and to appeal to a wider range of voters.

Bombing of a federal office that killed 168 by antigovernment extremist Timothy McVeigh, presumably in retribution for a standoff in Waco, Texas between federal agents and a fundamentalist sect; brought to light the proliferation of underground paramilitary private "militias".

Republican agenda spearheaded by Newt Gingrich in 1994, capitalizing on the Clinton administration's failed initiatives and current anti-government sentiment; promised support for a balanced budget and radical reductions in welfare programs; highly successful, allowing the Republican party to take control in both the House and the Senate

Passed by the newly Republican-controlled Congress, this conservative legislation made deep cuts in welfare grants, required able-bodied welfare recipients to find employment, and restricted benefits for immigrants.

Created a free-trade zone that encompassed Mexico, Canada, and the US; opposed by labor leaders fearful of losing jobs to low-wage Mexican workers.

International organization that moderates global trade; this step towards a global free-trade market was promoted by Clinton, but met with vigorous protests during a meeting in Seattle, with protesters railing against the human and economic effects of "globalization".

Campaign reform act; a response to reports that the Clinton campaign had received funds from improper sources, as well as the increasingly vast sums of money spent on campaign advertising.

A failed real estate investment scandal involving the Clintons; a federal prosecutor was appointed to investigate the allegations, but no indictment was ever filed.

High profile scandal involving Clinton's sexual relationship with a young White House intern; although he repeatedly lied about the affair, he eventually was forced to admit to his relationship, leading the House Republicans to pass two articles of impeachment on the basis of perjury and obstruction of justice; after midterm elections reduced the House Republicans' majority and public opinion swayed in favor of keeping Clinton in office, he was found not guilty.

Terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon buildings, perpetrated by Al Qaeda and directed by Osama bin Laden; when the Taliban regime in Afghanistan refused to hand over bin Laden, the US launched a massive military attack against them; the terrorist attacks brought a sense of fear and anxiety to the American people, leading to legislation and policies that aimed to increase security, but also encroached on civil liberties.

Legislation passed during the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks; permitted extensive telephone and email surveillance and authorized the detention and deportation of immigrants suspected of terrorism.

Agency created in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks; charged with protecting the nation's borders and identifying potential terrorists.

American military base in Cuba that housed hundreds of Taliban fighters captured in Afghanistan; the Bush administration called for trying suspected terrorists before military tribunals, where the usual rules of evidence and procedure did not apply.

Revelations of abuse perpetrated by American soldiers against Iraqi prisoners in this Baghdad prison inflamed anti-American sentiment in the Middle East and beyond, calling into question America's democratic ideals.

Legislation championed by George W. Bush which mandated sanctions against schools that failed to meet federal performance standards; part of his campaign pledge to end "low expectations".

Natural disaster that decimated New Orleans; the Bush administration was widely criticized for its slow and insufficient response to the emergency.