-
The Oklahoma City bombing killed 168 people and exposed the growing threat of domestic terrorism fueled by anti-government extremism. Coming after the Cold War, the attack revealed how political violence no longer came only from foreign enemies. It forced Americans to rethink national security and highlighted how radical ideologies could emerge from within the United States itself. (Kruse and Zelizer, 118)
-
The Welfare Reform Act ended guaranteed federal assistance and shifted responsibility to states while emphasizing work requirements. This marked a major political shift toward neoliberalism and reduced federal responsibility for social welfare. While supporters praised it for promoting self-sufficiency, critics argued it increased poverty and insecurity, revealing growing divisions over the role of government in American life. (Kruse and Zelizer, 134)
-
The September 11 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and fundamentally reshaped American foreign and domestic policy. The attacks led to the War on Terror, increased surveillance, and a heightened sense of fear and nationalism. They marked a turning point in post–Cold War America, ending optimism about global stability and redefining national priorities around security. (Kruse and Zelizer, 163)
-
The Patriot Act expanded federal surveillance powers in response to the 9/11 attacks. While designed to prevent terrorism, it raised serious concerns about privacy and civil liberties. The law reflects how fear and emergency conditions can lead to lasting changes in government authority, illustrating tensions between national security and democratic freedoms in the modern United States. (Kruse and Zelizer, 170)
-
The U.S. invasion of Iraq was justified by claims that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, which were never found. The war increased political polarization and damaged trust in government leadership. It demonstrated the limits of American military power and contributed to long-term instability in the Middle East, reshaping U.S. foreign policy debates. (Kruse and Zelizer, 191)
-
Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and exposed deep racial and economic inequalities in the United States. The slow and ineffective government response revealed weaknesses in federal disaster preparedness and highlighted how marginalized communities often suffer the most during crises. Katrina became a symbol of government failure and unequal protection in modern America. (Kruse and Zelizer, 213)
-
The collapse of Lehman Brothers intensified the financial crisis and triggered the Great Recession. Millions lost jobs and homes, exposing systemic problems in deregulated financial markets. The crisis renewed debates over government intervention, corporate accountability, and economic inequality, reshaping public attitudes toward capitalism and the role of the federal government. (Kruse and Zelizer, 236)
-
Barack Obama’s election as the first African American president symbolized major cultural and demographic changes in the United States. While many viewed it as progress toward racial equality, it also intensified political polarization and conservative backlash. His presidency highlighted both the possibilities and limits of political change in a deeply divided nation. (Kruse and Zelizer, 245)
-
The Affordable Care Act expanded health insurance to millions of Americans and represented the most significant social reform since the Great Society. Supporters viewed it as a necessary step toward healthcare access, while opponents argued it expanded government power too far. The law became a lasting symbol of ideological conflict in modern American politics. (Kruse and Zelizer, 260)
-
Occupy Wall Street began in New York City as a protest against economic inequality and corporate influence following the Great Recession. The movement popularized the language of the “99 percent” versus the “1 percent,” reshaping national conversations about wealth, power, and inequality. Although it lacked formal leadership, Occupy influenced later political movements and highlighted growing dissatisfaction with modern capitalism. (Kruse and Zelizer, 268)