Thomas Schwartz, professor of history, recently responded to an interview request from a journalist in São Paulo, Brazil, about the lasting political impacts of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Professor Schwartz’s responses provide a concise overview of the lasting impact of a day that changed our nation.
Read more about Vanderbilt remembrances of 9-11 in this month’s Vanderbilt View.
Main Political Consequences
“The attacks certainly turned the U.S. toward an emphasis on foreign affairs, defense and national security and away from domestic social problems. For a short period the attacks created a spirit of national unity, but that was lost during the buildup to the Iraq War. The attacks also contributed to the Republican dominance in politics, at least until the election of 2006.”
President Bush’s reaction and handling of attacks
“Although he looked unsure when he first heard of the attacks – the famous tape of him reading a children’s book in Florida – Bush quickly recovered his footing and rallied the nation after the attacks. The speeches he gave in the aftermath of the attacks were the best speeches of his time in the White House. His popularity was very high in the aftermath, and his decision to declare war on the terrorists was received favorably by most Americans. Only with the war in Iraq, and especially with the clumsy aftermath, did his popularity begin to recede.”
President Obama’s handling of terrorism
“Obama was critical of some of the Bush policies before he became president, especially the prison at Guantanamo and the interrogation policies. But outside of those interrogation policies, he has largely kept almost all of the Bush Administration anti-terror policies.”
American opinion
“9/11 may have caused a temporary change in the way Americans viewed politics, making them more anxious and fearful, and reluctant to criticize their government. But the effect did not last long, and we have as raucous and as partisan a political environment as existed before the attacks.”
Changes to U.S. government
“One of the biggest changes in the American government has been an enormous expansion in the size and scope of intelligence gathering and the intelligence establishment. We are now spending billions more and employing thousands of more people in this part of the government. In other matters of politics, I don’t see as big a change because of 9/11.”
Connections to terrorists
“The Bush family did have connections and friendships with a number of Saudi leaders. But the idea that there was any direct link to Bin Laden is a tremendous exaggeration of some of the ties that existed between Bush and some Saudis. It is classic conspiracy-driven nonsense.”
To whose advantage was the destruction of the Twin Towers?
“The terrorists did achieve a major victory by destroying that symbol of American capitalism. They murdered almost 3,000 people and stunned the United States. That was quite an achievement, as awful as it was.”