A Country in Need of HopeThe success of the Moon landing, which many Americans viewed as a first place finish in the space race, came at a time when the country was in desperate need of hope. In the late 1960s, the country had suffered major losses in the war effort in Vietnam, notably the Tet Offensive in January of 1968. In April of that year, the country grieved the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and just a few months later saw the assassination of Robert Kennedy in June. In August, the Democratic Convention in Chicago led to massive anti war riots which resulted in police intervention and hundreds of injured protesters. (7) After a rough two years, America was in need of a confidence boost and the Moon landing provided just that.
The mission to the Moon was so much more than a scientific endeavor; the Apollo program had become “the embodiment and expression of America's core national values and aspirations" and after a turbulent two years, its success gave the country a long-awaited sense hope and confidence. (8) |
Educational AdvancesThe space race, and more specifically the launching of Sputnik, caused many politicians to call for reform of the country’s education system. They argued that there needed to be an increase and improvement of science education, specifically hands-on laboratory experience. The goal was to create a new generation of American scientists, ones who were smarter and more advanced than their Soviet counterparts. As a result, the National Defense Education Act was passed a year after Sputnik’s launch. The act increased funding for education at all levels, including student loans to college students, specifically for scientific and technical education. (9)
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Consumer Goods and TechnologiesMore tangibly, Project Apollo contributed numerous technologies to the consumer market including dehydrated foods, nonstick coatings, and miniaturized electronic components. (14) On the technological side, the development of satellite technology has had a renowned impact on American life today. During the space race, the satellite technology that the country uses today for GPS systems, televisions and weather forecasting was developed. (15)
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