1. The 1990s and 2000s Tragedy, War, and America in the 21 st century

2. The 1990s and 2000s O IN 1991, leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev will introduce reforms to help solve economic and political problems O Glasnost –Openness to freedom of speech/press O Perestroika – Reforming the economy

3. The 1990s and 2000s O This attempt backfired as it released decades of pent up emotion and led to uprisings from all corners of the Soviet Union O Independence movements grew in Eastern Europe as Democratic gov’ts started to replace Communism

4. The 1990s and 2000s O Gorbachev tried to keep the peace but the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 creating 15 new countries = Soviet Satellite Countries O They have to develop new economies, reorganize political systems, and settle territorial disputes

5. The 1990s and 2000s

6. O These were not the only countries America had to worry about O Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invades the country just south of them, Kuwait, in 1990. Why? O OIL!!!

7. The 1990s and 2000s

8. O This invasion was condemned by the U.N. and the world, but Iraq did not leave O Operation Desert Storm: January 15, 1991, 34 countries, led by the U.S. invaded Kuwait to remove the Iraqi troops. O One month later, Kuwait was liberated!

9. The 1990s and 2000s O The remaining years of the 20 th century and the early 2000s brought us tragedy after tragedy O 1. World Trade Center Bombing: 1993, a 1,200 pound bomb explodes below the WTC in New York City O 2. Oklahoma City Bombing: 1995, a rental truck filled with explosives levels the Ok. City building O 3. Columbine: 1999, two students kill 13 kids and wound 24 others in deadliest school shooting

10. The 1990s and 2000s

13. O The worst of all… O September 11, 2001: Two planes crash into the WTC buildings, one into the pentagon, and one in Pennsylvania O The U.S. responds with the Patriot Act: A law that gives the gov’t more power to protect citizens from future terrorist attacks

14. The 1990s and 2000s O These decades weren’t all bad. As technology continues to improve we will see politics, business, communication, and the economy move to a global level O Being so connected to the world gives the U.S. more information and allows us to intervene before a crisis escalates in what are known as Pre-Emptive Wars

15. The 1990s 2000s O Being so connected has reshaped our economy and communication O -Internet purchases and online businesses skyrocket O -Imports are up, Exports are down, = Trade Deficit O -Increase in overseas competition O -Decrease in manufacturing jobs

16. The 1990s and 2000s O All of this has led to the world away from individual nations to interdependent countries known as the Global Village O Benefits? Communication abilities, information, research O Drawbacks? Loss of personal identity, cultures, human interaction