Unit 10 The 1960 s The Space Race

Unit 10: The 1960 s

The Space Race

MAD: Soviets vs. U. S. During the Cold War, America and the Soviet Union came to rely on a theory called Mutually Assured Destruction (M. A. D. ) If each country could destroy the other, neither would use their nuclear weapons b/c they would fear destruction Nuclear policy today still depends on this idea

Arms & Space The arms race also led to the space race Both countries wanted: 1. To ensure their safety 2. To prove their superiority

Sputnik Soviet Union launched Sputnik on October 4, 1957 1 st artificial satellite to orbit earth

Significance 1. Soviets have technological superiority Winning the space race 2. Soviets have nuclear delivery superiority Americans worried that the same rocket used to launch Sputnik, ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile), could carry a hydrogen bomb 3. Psychological fear to Americans We need to catch up!

Effects Led to creation of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Education: National Defense Education Act Gave $ to schools to improve math, science and foreign language education

US Accomplishments Alan Shepard First American in space – 5/5/61 Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin First men to set foot on the moon – 7/20/69

Moon Speech, May 25, 1961