The Race to Space served as an ample distraction for the United States during this time, which led citizens to gather to the cause. Along with being the youngest elected president, Kennedy was president during a time of tremendously high tension from Cuba, Communist pressure, nuclear coercions, and Vietnam. Kennedy alludes to the atrocities of the world, and tempts the audience to further space exploration as he states, “Whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war” (Kennedy). He casually references about the tensions the United States had with other countries;