Space+Race

=Space Race - Sample=

Date: October 4, 1957 - 1975
=== Key: Proving ideological superiority through scientific accomplishments. === Each first in space was seen as a symbolic representation of the power of the respective country, both ideologically and technically.


 * Big Picture: The space race, although dealing with security issues such as the ability to launch nuclear weapons from space, was also about the ideological prestigue of communism and liberal democracy. The scientific battle was used as a propaganda on each side, any successes were said to be because of a superior ideological system.
 * The space race started in 1957 when the USSR launched Sputnik, the first orbiting satellite. Sputnik stayed aloft for 3 months emitting signals for 22 days effectively telling the world what the USSR was capable of. Sputnik was considered one of the 3 majour American shocks along with Pearl Harbor and 911.
 * America was plunged into a state of fear knowing that the USSR was able to launch a man made satellite over their country. Satellites that could just as easily be nuclear weapons.
 * This precipitated the National Defense Education Act that increased the emphasis in math and science to counter the USSR.
 * The USSR achieved another first by placing the first human in space in April of 1961 again embarrassing the USA.
 * Kennedy initiates the race for the Moon only one week later. It is portrayed as being vital for national security.
 * The USSR continue to post firsts, first woman in space, first civilian in space and the first space walk.
 * In the fall of 1964 immediately after a successful space mission the Soviet leader Khrushchev is deposed. The Soviets switch their focus to the moon to beat the Americans.
 * It wasn't until 1965 when America launched several Gemini rockets that Americans felt that they were matching the Soviets capabilities, thereby reasuring themselves that their ideology was superior.
 * The USSR had a series of colossal failures, all hidden from the west.
 * America successfully landed a man on the moon on July 20 1969 and the Soviets cancelled their moon project less than a year later. The USSR started to concentrate on orbital space stations and in 1975 an American and Soviet space craft docked together and spent time doing joint experiments and sharing knowledge.
 * Big Picture: although the space race started as a competition, in the end it became less about ideology and more about collaborative scientific exploration, very un-cold war like.



Resources
Sounds from the first Satellites Kennedy announcing the Race to the Moon We Choose the Moon Benefits of the Space Race