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Sputnik And The Space Race: A Case-Study

1809 Words8 Pages

Since its establishment, the United States of America’s strategic foreign policies have adapted and expanded with the evolving world. The country’s use of soft and hard power politics from the Cold War to the present, highlight the country’s adapting foreign policies in a diverse world. There are many factors that play a major role in how foreign policy is developed. For example, national security, public opinion, humanitarian issues, and differentiating ideologies, all can provoke global issues. Every situation requires a different reaction. Some instances require military action, others a diplomatic response, and sometimes it is essential to use economic repercussions. The United States of America’s strategic use of diplomacy and military …show more content…

The Eisenhower Administration responded to the USSR’s satellite with educational and technological programs to advance their space program publicly. Sputnik appeared to be a sign that the Soviet Union was “winning” the Cold War; therefore the United States implemented action in order to surpass the Soviet’s accomplishment. The United States and the Soviet Union entered into an extensive space race to fuel propaganda for their countries. The ability to display on television, America as having the first man on the moon was a powerful way to influence social and public opinion without putting any boots on the ground in the sense of …show more content…

The United States used military intervention to support South Vietnam and to keep the region from succumbing to Communism. The war went on for many years, however over time public opinion grew against the war. Many anti-Vietnam war campaigns broke out, and the war grew very unpopular. Over time the United States decreased its war efforts in the area by first reducing the amount of troops on the ground, and then after the fall of Saigon ending American involvement in the area.
The Vietnam War was perhaps the first major lesson to the United States that direct military involvement is not always the most strategic option. The United States military and government failed to eradicate its intentions effectively and therefore they suffered more loss than gain during the Vietnam War. It would have been more prudent to involve themselves through economic aid, diplomatic discussions, or soft power politics. Instead the United States forces’ used tactics of guerrilla warfare and attrition, but the costs out-weighed the

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