It’s easy to search engine pictures of the 1969 moon landing and still feel a spark of nationalistic pride. America has always been a country to build great big buildings, fight great big battles, and take great big steps… or giant leaps. However the lingering feelings of patriotism over what is still commonly considered a solely technological advancement is proof of the American government’s ability to put a military supremacy contest in a nonviolent, harmless light. Because of the positive political and social implications of America in accordance to the Space Race, this country was able to enter a figurative technological war with the USSR and other countries, without terrifying the American people.
The scientists at NASA were nothing short of tactical when it came to sending a message of scientific advancement and America’s excellence. Luckily, we didn’t destroy ourselves in the process of trying to flex our military muscles while convincing the rest of the country we were just working out. American culture patriotically shifted upon seeing our advancements respective to those of our competing allies and enemies. We proved to ourselves that our horse was definitely bigger than theirs, even though initial motives may have been clouded over in the course of events.
The USSR was the first to roll a sleeve up and point to the moon with veins popping out of its arm. The display was impressive, and it was no secret why. Rocket scientist Wernher von Braun assisted Russia during their initial scientific efforts to prove superiority. Von Braun is widely considered to be the most brilliant rocket scientist to date, and America was fully aware of his abilities. Despite his war crimes against America in affiliation with the USSR, we managed to “forgive” him and in doing so, persuade him to switch sides and join our “cause.” The biggest, initial coin toss of the Space Race was Sputnik. While America had put a small, 31 pound satellite into orbit, Russia sent Sputnik I (184.3 pounds) and Sputnik II (1,121 pounds) into space and around the Earth, displaying unparalleled technological strength.
Senator Norman Grant asked his team head to draft a message to Eisenhower. It included the statement, “We are far behind, Mr. President. We are in military peril and we had better catch up.” America would not hear a whisper of this message until the publishing of the novel “Space” by James Michener.
On April 12th, 1961, Russian Yuri Gargarin became the first man to orbit the earth. A little over a month later, the newly elected president, John F. Kennedy, made an address to congress.
“Now it is time to take longer strides. Time for a great, new American enterprise. Time for this nation to take a clearly leading role in space achievement. I believe we possess all the resources necessary and talents necessary.”
He later went on the make the all too inspiration comment, “Therefore, as we set sail, we ask God’s blessing.”
The president and every other public speaking figure used this tactic—employing ethos in their diction to provide the listeners a since of adventure, courage, and even supremacy. Words like “great, new, enterprise, and achievement,” shown above were used in every public statement on the matter, even those bearing bad news such as the New York Times Report of the event.
“The fire broke out at 6:31 P. M. while the three men were taking part in a full-scale simulation of the scheduled Feb. 21 launching that was to take them into the heavens for 14 days of orbiting the earth.”
The only difference between the citizenry and the politicians pulling the strings behind the operation was the target of this supremacy. The American people believed it to be in the name of advancement and science. But the puppeteers knew it to be a race for military control and a statement directed at Russia.
The culture during this time period was far and away the most receptive to new steps toward a better society. America was fighting in Vietnam and people are outspokenly displeased, the civil rights as well as women’s rights movements were expanding, and society was heading toward a drastically more accepting society. Activists and protestors were the loudest voices, so good news that reflected positively on the country was often pushed to the forestage in order to boost morale. In 1968, Kennedy was assassinated, and the country “needed” to “win the race” more than ever.
The biggest shift in culture was America’s view of our own power, earth, science, and God. We felt grand, profound, and proud. It wasn’t until after the 1969 moon landing that the space program put its emphasis on what it initially claimed to. It became less of a military funded tech race and more so a nationwide science project. We’d proved ourselves, and there was less ground to cover.
The government has been known to pull the wool over America’s time and time again, but I believe this is by far the greatest misinformed “advancement” to occur in this country. Quite frankly, a war was occurring, and 95% of the country was oblivious to it. This was only a result of clever politicians putting their money in the right places and public figures saying the right words. Similar to our current president, Barack Obama, they knew exactly what to say while saying nothing at all, as long as it got people aboard the bandwagon of “America is awesome!”