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Sputnik Debate Summary

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Section B: Summary of Evidence American Inferiority to Soviets • Soviet’s Sputnik device was eight times heavier than what the U.S planned and launched much sooner. • Soviets claimed to understand American “difficulties” but disclaimed their competition with America in conquering space. Improved Space Technology • American fears were provoked because the Soviets were able to launch a major space technology while the United States had failed twice. • Prior to Russian launch of Sputnik, Americans thought that they were superior to the Soviets. • Began the Space race in America against the Soviet Union to close the “space gap” • Although President Dwight Eisenhower had tried to downplay the importance of the Sputnik launch to the American …show more content…

• The Survey Research Center found that 6 months before this first launching, half of the American public had never heard of an earth satellite. Fear of Communism • Public opinion demanded federal aid and action in the wake of Sputnik’s launch • Initially people feared the satellite because they didn’t know if the satellite was a weapon of war or a device used to spy on the Americans War with Soviet Union • With launch of Sputnik, President Eisenhower deemed the principle of “freedom of space” o American’s created a top-secret project, CORONA, to create a spy satellites to tell where every Soviet missile was located. • With the launch of Sputnik, the perception of American weakness and complacency was created. • Diplomatically, Sputnik helped realign the United States and Great Britain as allies. o Weakened relations due to 1946 Atomic Energy Act • With the common threat of the Soviet Union, NATO was strengthened, guaranteeing the placement of American nuclear arms in Europe. • Military experts and scientists realized that such a satellite will guide in intercontinental missile studies. Word Count:

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