Causes and Effects of the September 11 Terrorist Attacks
This paper examines the multiple causes and far-reaching effects of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Drawing on political science, ethics, and policy commentary, it traces the roots of the attacks — including prior terrorist incidents, Al Qaeda's ideology of jihad, lax airport security, and intelligence failures — before analyzing the consequences: the immediate death toll and destruction, the declaration of a "war on terrorism," the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the Patriot Act, the emotional and economic impact on American society, and the shifting way the world perceives the United States.
- Introduction: Framing 9/11 as a world-changing event
- Causes of the September 11 Attacks: Prior attacks, jihad ideology, and lax airport security
- Intelligence and Security Failures: CIA and FBI breakdowns before the attacks
- Effects: Death, Destruction, and the War on Terrorism: Immediate casualties and military response in Afghanistan and Iraq
- Homeland Security and Civil Liberties: New security measures and Patriot Act controversies
- Emotional and Economic Impact: National grief, unity, and economic disruption
- Conclusion: Vulnerability, resilience, and hope against terrorism
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What makes this paper effective
- Maintains a clear cause-and-effect structure throughout, keeping the argument organized and easy to follow across multiple complex factors.
- Integrates multiple credible sources — political science journals, ethics commentary, and policy reviews — to support each claim rather than relying on a single perspective.
- Acknowledges complexity and competing interpretations, noting that no single cause or effect can fully explain September 11, which adds intellectual nuance.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective synthesis of secondary sources. Rather than simply quoting experts, the writer uses quotations to introduce a claim and then extends or contextualizes it with their own analysis — for example, connecting intelligence failures to the broader breakdown of pre-attack preparedness.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a framing introduction, then devotes two sections to causes (ideological, security-related, and intelligence-related) before turning to effects (immediate casualties, the war on terrorism, homeland security policy, and emotional/economic consequences). A brief conclusion returns to the opening theme of vulnerability and resilience. This two-part cause-and-effect architecture is clearly signaled throughout and well maintained.
Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the topic of the September 11 terrorist attacks. What were the causes leading up to the attacks, and what have been their effects? One political expert writes, "There is no single September 11 effect, if by 'effect' we mean the way in which something — an event, for example — has influenced our lives" (Arthur). These are not simple questions to answer, and everyone has their own opinion about the events surrounding September 11. Certainly, the terrorist attacks changed the world and the way America looks at the world, but they also changed the way the world looks at America.
References
Arthur, Paige. "The September 11 Effect." Ethics & International Affairs. Volume 16, No. 2, 2002.
Jervis, Robert. "An Interim Assessment of September 11: What Has Changed and What Has Not?" Political Science Quarterly 117.1 (2002): 37+.
Lindberg, Tod. "September 11 & September 10." Policy Review (2001): 3.
Schoenfeld, Gabriel. "Could September 11 Have Been Averted?" Commentary Dec. 2001: 21+.
Stone, James. "September 11, 2001, and Beyond." Cosmos Club. 2002.
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