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Lesson

George W. Bush and the War on Terror

Guiding question

Should accused foreign terrorists be afforded all constitutional due process protections?

Duration
50 min
Grade
9–12
Published
Jun 28, 2021
George W Bush Declares War after 9 11
After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, George W. Bush demanded that the Taliban government in Afghanistan turn over Osama bin Laden to the US as well as shut down Al-Qaeda training camps in the country. When the Taliban refused, Bush ordered strikes on the country. After hundreds of enemy combatants were captured on the battlefield in Afghanistan, in the US, and around the world, the question of how detainees in the War on Terror should be treated became problematic. Were accused terrorists criminals, or were they illegal combatants (aggressors guilty of breaking laws of war)? Bush’s answer to that question—that they were illegal combatants not entitled to due process protections of US law, but subject to Military Tribunals—became harder and harder to justify to the American people as time wore on.

Founding Principles

Checks and Balances, Natural/Inalienable Rights, Due Process

Objectives:

Students will:

  • Understand President George W. Bush’s response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
  • Analyze constitutional arguments on the nature of terrorist acts.
  • Evaluate whether accused foreign terrorists should be afforded all constitutional due process protections.

Materials

  • Handout A: George W. Bush and the War on Terror
  • Handout B: September Eleventh True or False
  • Handout C: Data Points

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: George W. Bush and the War on Terror
ActivityHandout B: September Eleventh True or False
ActivityHandout C: Data Points (War on Terror)
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Lesson plan

50 minClick a phase to open it

More Information

To create a context for this lesson, have students complete Constitutional Connection: War and the Constitution.

Standards

Check whether this resource aligns with your state’s standards →

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