Rationale

There are many events that have helped to shape America and its people: the Civil Rights Movement, the Great Depression, the Declaration of Independence. All these major events have shaped and affected Americans in different ways, which in turn shapes America. In a few years, the first decade for the new millennium will be in the past and the events that happened will shape Americans for years to come. All subtopics of this chapter are the most important events that happened in the first decade of the new millenium. These big events, not the tiny specific events, have shaped Americans and America, socially, economically, and politically and will continue to shape Americans for the rest of America's existence.

The Election of 2000 was chosen to be a subtopic in this chapter because it set America up for the next eight years. Bush's decisions with the War on Terrorism and the Iraq War have affected the whole nation. Thousands of soldiers were sent over and thousands of them died, affecting many families back home. His No Child Left Behind Act has also affected many schools and teaching positions as well. The reason September 11 was chosen is because it was the largest loss of life on American soil since the Civil War. It affected relations with the Middle East and was the start of the War on Terror. It also took a toll on the economy and it built racial stereotypes against Arab and Muslim Americans. Hurricane Katrina devastated Mississippi and Louisiana. Hundreds of people died and a city filled with culture and personality was destroyed. Gas prices rose after Hurricane Katrina, making people more frugal. This then leads to into the Recession of 2007 where people can't afford their mortgages making them even more careful with their money, spending it on only necessary goods. In 2009 the unemployment rate rose to 10%, the highest since the Great Depression. New Technology was added because it's shaping the way Americans communicate with eachother. The Election of 2008, where America elected Barack Obama, shaped America because the first African-American president was elected and broke several racial barriors.

The reason small details were left out is because the big events are what people remember the most. The major battles in the Iraqi War and the War on Terrorism were left out because in the end, America accomplished most of what it wanted to do: make Iraq a democratic nation. Other hurricanes in 2005 were left out because they did not affect as much as Hurricane Katrina did. Thousands of new inventions were created however they did not affect the world as much as the ones described. In the end, some specifics are important, but what's more important are the big ideas because they are what people remember and think about.

In all the first decade of the new millennium had a lot going on, but these seven events are what really affected Americans and America's history the most. These events have altered the course of America's path and its citizens lives for years to come. What lies ahead is a mystery, but what will always be known are the big events that have shaped the history of Americans and helped mold America to be what it is today.