Terrorism Web quest
Terrorism has become a big word in America. Since the attacks on the world trade centers on September 11, 2001, terrorism has taken on new meanings and connotations. Your quest today is to better understand 9/11 and how it has affected America. In order to do this, we need to answer several different questions: What is terrorism? What happened on 9/11? What was the U.S.’s reaction? What is the current situation? Using the Internet, go through this assignment step by step. Good luck.
A1. What is terrorism?
Before you begin your research, define what terrorism means to you:
To better understand “terrorism,” let’s look at some websites. Visit at least 3 of the following websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definition_of_terrorism
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/may/07/terrorism
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/freedom+fighter
http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/words/terrorists.html
http://www.counterpunch.org/2007/06/01/terrorism-defined/
A2. According to those websites, define terrorism:
A3. Besides 9/11, what is another example of terrorism:
B1. What happened on 9/11?
Although there have been many acts of terrorism (domestic and foreign) in the United States, 9/11 has perhaps shaped America more than any other single act. Nearly 3,000 Americans were killed. What exactly happened on 9/11? Use the following websites to help you write a 1-paragraph summary of what happened on 9/11 (6-10 sentences).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1537785.stm (Timeline of the day)
http://911digitalarchive.org/faqs.php (this has good information and links to answer any questions you may have)
http://www.snopes.com/rumors/rumors.asp (this gives evidence of or disproves rumors and myths around 9/11)
C1. What was the U.S.’s reaction?
The United States was stunned by the events of 9/11. The day was filled with reporters claiming that Americans will forever remember where they were when they found out about the attacks. The U.S. reacted both at home and abroad. One of the most noticeable reactions at home was the passing of the Patriot Act. Read about the Patriot Act here:
http://www.crf-usa.org/america-responds-to-terrorism/the-patriot-act.html
C2. Identify 3 things the Patriot Act changed or allowed:
C3. Use Google images and search “Patriot Act Political Cartoon”
Analyze (summarize and explain its meaning) 2 political cartoons for their messages:
C4. What do you think of the Patriot Act? Explain
C5. The U.S. also declared War on Terror. We are still fighting this war today. One aspect of this war, was to bring the terrorists out of Afghanistan. In October 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan to end the Taliban’s rule. What is the War in Afghanistan? Visit the following websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Afghanistan_%282001%E2%80%93present%29
http://www.historyguy.com/war_in_afghanistan.html#.URqCyvKpjZg
C6. “When you think Taliban, think Nazis. When you think Bin Laden, think Hitler. And when you think ‘the people of Afghanistan’ think ‘the Jews in the concentration camps.’”
-Tamim Ansary, "An Afghan-American Speaks"
http://www.salon.com/2001/09/14/afghanistan_28/
What does this quote mean to you? Explain
D1. What is the current situation?
Find two news articles (at least ½ page each) relating to the current situation in the War in Afghanistan or the War on Terror (news websites are the best sources: cnn.com, bbcnews.com, msnbc.com, foxnews.com, etc). Summarize the articles in one paragraph each.
A1. What is terrorism?
Before you begin your research, define what terrorism means to you:
To better understand “terrorism,” let’s look at some websites. Visit at least 3 of the following websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definition_of_terrorism
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/may/07/terrorism
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/freedom+fighter
http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/words/terrorists.html
http://www.counterpunch.org/2007/06/01/terrorism-defined/
A2. According to those websites, define terrorism:
A3. Besides 9/11, what is another example of terrorism:
B1. What happened on 9/11?
Although there have been many acts of terrorism (domestic and foreign) in the United States, 9/11 has perhaps shaped America more than any other single act. Nearly 3,000 Americans were killed. What exactly happened on 9/11? Use the following websites to help you write a 1-paragraph summary of what happened on 9/11 (6-10 sentences).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1537785.stm (Timeline of the day)
http://911digitalarchive.org/faqs.php (this has good information and links to answer any questions you may have)
http://www.snopes.com/rumors/rumors.asp (this gives evidence of or disproves rumors and myths around 9/11)
C1. What was the U.S.’s reaction?
The United States was stunned by the events of 9/11. The day was filled with reporters claiming that Americans will forever remember where they were when they found out about the attacks. The U.S. reacted both at home and abroad. One of the most noticeable reactions at home was the passing of the Patriot Act. Read about the Patriot Act here:
http://www.crf-usa.org/america-responds-to-terrorism/the-patriot-act.html
C2. Identify 3 things the Patriot Act changed or allowed:
C3. Use Google images and search “Patriot Act Political Cartoon”
Analyze (summarize and explain its meaning) 2 political cartoons for their messages:
C4. What do you think of the Patriot Act? Explain
C5. The U.S. also declared War on Terror. We are still fighting this war today. One aspect of this war, was to bring the terrorists out of Afghanistan. In October 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan to end the Taliban’s rule. What is the War in Afghanistan? Visit the following websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Afghanistan_%282001%E2%80%93present%29
http://www.historyguy.com/war_in_afghanistan.html#.URqCyvKpjZg
C6. “When you think Taliban, think Nazis. When you think Bin Laden, think Hitler. And when you think ‘the people of Afghanistan’ think ‘the Jews in the concentration camps.’”
-Tamim Ansary, "An Afghan-American Speaks"
http://www.salon.com/2001/09/14/afghanistan_28/
What does this quote mean to you? Explain
D1. What is the current situation?
Find two news articles (at least ½ page each) relating to the current situation in the War in Afghanistan or the War on Terror (news websites are the best sources: cnn.com, bbcnews.com, msnbc.com, foxnews.com, etc). Summarize the articles in one paragraph each.