AP US History 9.5-9.6: Migration and 21st Century Challenges

Who was Osama bin Laden in relation to the September 11 attacks?

Osama bin Laden was the leader of al-Qaeda, the organization identified as responsible for planning and carrying out the attacks.

What was al-Qaeda's operational relationship with Afghanistan before September 11, 2001?

After bin Laden returned to Afghanistan, the Taliban allowed al-Qaeda to use the country as a base for its operations.

What did Osama bin Laden's 1996 fatwa call for?

It declared jihad against the United States and demanded the removal of American troops stationed in the Arabian Peninsula.

September 11 attacks

A coordinated series of four aircraft hijackings and suicide attacks carried out by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists against the United States on September 11, 2001.

When and where did the September 11 attacks occur?

They occurred on September 11, 2001, primarily in New York City, Arlington County, Virginia, and rural Pennsylvania. The attacks began at approximately 8:13 a.m. EDT and concluded when Flight 93 crashed at 10:03 a.m.

How many hijackers participated in the September 11 attacks?

Nineteen al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners.

Which targets were struck or intended targets during the September 11 attacks?

American Airlines Flights 11 and 175 struck the World Trade Center; American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon; and United Airlines Flight 93 was believed to be headed toward the U.S. Capitol or White House before passengers resisted.

What happened to American Airlines Flight 11?

Mohamed Atta and four other hijackers seized the aircraft and flew it into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at approximately 8:46 a.m.

What happened to United Airlines Flight 175?

Marwan al-Shehhi and other hijackers flew the aircraft into the South Tower of the World Trade Center at approximately 9:03 a.m.

What happened to American Airlines Flight 77?

Hani Hanjour hijacked the aircraft and crashed it into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, at approximately 9:37 a.m., causing part of the building to collapse.

What happened to United Airlines Flight 93?

After learning about the earlier attacks, passengers revolted against the hijackers. The aircraft crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at approximately 10:03 a.m., preventing it from reaching its intended target.

How long after Flight 11 struck the North Tower did that tower collapse?

The North Tower collapsed roughly 102 minutes after Flight 11 struck it, at about 10:28 a.m.

How did the collapse sequence affect the World Trade Center complex?

Both Twin Towers collapsed, and the attacks destroyed the remaining five structures in the World Trade Center complex.

What immediate air-traffic action did the Federal Aviation Administration take after the attacks?

The FAA ordered a nationwide ground stop for U.S. air traffic, requiring airborne aircraft to return to their departure airports or divert elsewhere.

Operation Yellow Ribbon

The Canadian response that supported aircraft diverted to Canada after the United States closed its airspace, including assistance to the passengers and crews aboard those planes.

What was the immediate U.S. intelligence assessment of responsibility for the attacks?

On the evening of September 11, the CIA informed President George W. Bush that its Counterterrorism Center identified al-Qaeda, under Osama bin Laden, as responsible.

What foreign-policy grievances did Osama bin Laden cite as motives for attacking the United States?

He cited U.S. support for Israel, the presence of U.S. military forces in Saudi Arabia, and sanctions against Iraq. He and al-Qaeda also referenced various U.S. policies and interventions involving Muslim-majority regions.

How should claims about the motives for the September 11 attacks be interpreted?

They should be understood as claims made by bin Laden and al-Qaeda to justify their actions, not as objective or legitimate explanations for mass murder.

How did Osama bin Laden's public statements about responsibility change over time?

He initially denied carrying out the attacks and later acknowledged organizing them; excerpts of a 2004 video provided a public confirmation of his responsibility.

How did the United States respond militarily to the September 11 attacks?

The United States launched the global War on Terror and invaded Afghanistan in an effort to destroy al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban government that had supported its operations.

What did NATO's invocation of Article 5 mean after September 11?

Article 5 treats an attack on one NATO member as an attack on all members and calls for collective defense. Its invocation after September 11 was the first and, according to the source, only use of Article 5 to date.

How long did the war in Afghanistan continue after the initial invasion?

The war in Afghanistan continued for roughly another decade after the initial U.S. and allied invasion.

When and where was Osama bin Laden killed?

He was killed by U.S. forces during a military raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in May 2011, after a nearly decade-long manhunt.

How many people died in the September 11 attacks?

The attacks killed 2,977 victims, in addition to the 19 hijackers, for a commonly reported total of 2,996 deaths.

What were the major human consequences of the September 11 attacks beyond the immediate deaths?

Thousands were injured, and many first responders, survivors, and others later experienced long-term health problems associated with exposure to the disaster site.

How many firefighters and law-enforcement officers were killed in the September 11 attacks?

The attacks killed 343 firefighters and 72 law-enforcement personnel.

What economic effects followed the September 11 attacks?

The attacks caused at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage, seriously damaged the U.S. economy, and produced shocks in global financial markets.

What social consequences followed the September 11 attacks in the United States?

The attacks were followed by hate crimes, discrimination, and racial profiling, especially affecting Muslim Americans, as well as Muslim American responses and interfaith efforts.

What broad changes did other countries make after September 11?

Many countries strengthened counterterrorism laws and expanded the powers of law-enforcement and intelligence agencies.

What was the immediate physical-recovery timeline at the major attack sites?

Cleanup at the World Trade Center site, commonly called Ground Zero, was completed in May 2002. The Pentagon was repaired within approximately one year.

What major memorials commemorate the September 11 attacks?

Major memorials include the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington County, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial near the Pennsylvania crash site.