George W. Bush - Barack Obama

EQ & Standards

● EQ: How did the foreign and domestic policies of Presidents GW Bush and B Obama differ?

Content Standard 7: The student will examine contemporary challenges and successes in meeting the needs of the American citizen and society, 2002 to the present. 1. Cite specific textual and visual evidence to assess the causes, conduct, and consequences of the United States led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq including President George W. Bush’s leadership, the efforts to counter and combat terrorism, and the impact of President Barack Obama’s election on the course of the wars.2. Examine the ongoing issues of immigration, employment, climate change, environmental pollution, globalization, population growth, race relations, women’s issues, healthcare, civic engagement, education, and the rapid development of technology

President George W. Bush2001 - 2009

George W. Bush

● Wins a controversial election in 2000 when he defeats Al Gore● State of Florida was

questions because of voting issues (votes not counted and the hanging chad)

2000 Electoral Map

George W. Bush

Major Events of Bush’s PresidencyA. September 11th, 2001.B. War in Afghanistan (2001)C. War in Iraq (2003)D. The Patriot Act was passed in 2001

Other ControversiesA. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

never found in Iraq.B. Federal government’s response to

Hurricane Katrina.

George W. Bush

● Domestic Policy● Bush’s tax cuts● Social Security

running out● 9-11

● Development of the Department of Homeland Security

George W. Bush

● Foreign Policy● Bush Doctrine

● War on Terror● Afghanistan and

Iraq● Calls Iran and North

Korea “Axis of Evil”● Claims both are in

the process of developing nuclear weapons

George W. Bush

● Wins re-election in 2004● Defeats John Kerry● 2nd term consists of the

war on terror, failing economy

● Nominates two new justices (John Roberts (Chief Justice and Samuel Alito

● Increase in money to stop illegal immigration from Mexico

● Hurricane Katrina

Barack Obama (2009 - 2017)

● Wins the Election of 2008● Defeats John

McCain and Sarah Palin

● 1st African-American to be nominated and elected President

● Wins Nobel Peace Prize

I. Major AccomplishmentsA. Passed the Health Care Reform Act –

made health insurance available to all Americans.

B. Withdrew U.S. combat forces from IraqC. U.S. Special Forces killed Osama bin

Laden.

II. Major CriticismsA. Government is too big, too much

government spending – deficits are to high.

Barack Obama (2009 - 2017)

Barack Obama● Domestic Policy

● Working with the economy

● Corporate Bailouts: Banks, investment companies, Auto Makers

● Universal Health Care Plan gets passed

● Gov’t Insurance Plan that the uninsured can get

● Small businesses must provide insurance for their workers

Barack Obama

● Foreign Policy● Reduced US

involvement in Iraq and increasing US efforts in Afghanistan