ipl-logo

Sputnik Moment: The Race For Space And World Prestige

2393 Words10 Pages

“This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind” stated Neil Armstrong, the first man who walked on the moon. In just a few words, Armstrong summarized the importance of space exploration for mankind. However, space was not only of scientific importance; space also played a significantly political role during the Cold War era. The battle for supremacy between the two super powers, the USA and the USSR, was not just limited to the Earth, as the competition between these powers had extended into space. The competition in spaceflight capability had its origins in the nuclear arms race between the USA and the USSR, since spaceflight capability demonstrated the ability of each power to launch Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), …show more content…

Kennedy and the Race to the Moon and Eisenhower’s Sputnik Moment: The Race for Space and World Prestige, is to assess their authors’ historical approaches with regards to the main supporting arguments that each author presents in their analysis. An extensive analysis of the historical approaches of Logsdon and Mieczkowski is essential, as these approaches shape their supporting arguments, which constitute the backbones of their works. In support of his thesis, Logsdon elaborates on three factors which influenced the grand-scale of Kennedy’s space policies: his personal character, his success in sufficiently funding space programs and his choice of a team of qualified advisers on issues regarding space. Logsdon states that even though Kennedy was not particularly interested in the topic of space before he was already in the Oval Office, Kennedy’s competitive character and the successful mission of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin resulted in his pursuit of the Apollo Project . Despite his competitive nature, however, Logsdon highlights the fact that Kennedy was bold enough to try to convince the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev to work together to send a human to the Moon. Khrushchev rejected Kennedy’s offer, because he believed there could be no cooperation between the two powers until they agreed to a mutual nuclear disarmament program, and Kennedy, demonstrating the steadfastness and the perseverance of the USA regarding the Space Race, stated in a speech that the USA would seek cooperation but it would also compete, fiercely, if necessary . Additionally, Kennedy’s “media-savvy” personality enabled his televised speeches and his responses to the popular questions raised by reporters to successfully dispel the feelings of fear and humiliation among the American citizens and comfort them, by convincing them that the USA would eventually achieve victory in the Space Race. Secondly, Logsdon tries to illustrate the

Show More
Related
271 Words | 2 Pages

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;

Read More
127 Words | 1 Pages

The general impact of the address "The choice to go to the hand" of John F. Kennedy 's motivating. His discourse has been composed and said to illuminate Americans in regards to the thought and mission of the space program and the Assembled States government. The American individuals have thoughts and are happy to wind up plainly the first to put man on the moon. The thought and the mission specified in this discourse have been completed and is exceptionally viable, in light of the fact that we, the US, won the "Race Space" and we prevail in the goals of our as a country. Individuals even today are exceptionally roused by this discourse and it will perpetually leave its blemish on our nation and in our

Read More
676 Words | 3 Pages

J.F Kennedy, the president of United States wanted to put the first Americans to the moon-America exploring the moon, so he directed his speech to the people of taxes and Rice University to promote his space exploration program that will help America to be the first country to explore the moon. He believes that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. Throughout J.F Kennedy's speech, the speaker makes effective use of evidence, reasoning, rhetorical elements, and rhetorical devices that together form his argument to gain people support for his space exploration program. J.F Kennedy was trying to prove his point of view by giving examples and using a lot of Rhetorical devices and appeals that would grab the reader's attention

Read More
820 Words | 4 Pages

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the world's first artificial satellite. Sputnik 1. This event precipitated a national security crisis, as the United States felt its national security was compromised. The fear of the Soviets getting ahead technologically and militarily was not something the United States could not accept. This essay will analyze and evaluate President Kennedy's motives and use of rhetoric in his speech.

Read More
289 Words | 2 Pages

In September of 1962, President John. F Kennedy gave his influential “Nation’s Space Effort” speech at Rice University in Houston, Texas, or better known as the “We choose to go to the Moon” speech. President Kennedy was able to utilize rhetorical strategies to help him influence the American people in order to push the nation’s goals. His speech was given during the beginning of the “space race”, between the United States and the USSR, and during the Cold War which makes his promises significant. At the time of the President Kennedy’s speech, the Soviet Union(USSR) had already successfully launched and maintained a satellite for the last four years, moreover, the Soviet’s had already successfully put the first man in space.

Read More
625 Words | 3 Pages

On September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy gave a speech at Rice University Stadium in Houston, Texas, appealing for the support to land humans on the Moon. The president uses an analogy, appeals to patriotism, personification, metaphor, and antithesis in order to effectively convince the audience of the importance of the United States being the first country to make the great advancement that is space travel. To start, President John F. Kennedy uses an analogy to introduce the idea of space travel. His idea is to imagine the past 50,000 years of history condensed into 50 years. He talks about how recent the biggest accomplishments would be and how we could potentially "have literally reached the stars before midnight tonight."

Read More
179 Words | 1 Pages

President Kennedy's address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Effort was highly persuasive due to his effective use of evidence and rhetoric. Kennedy's unwavering commitment to advancing the nation's space exploration efforts was evident throughout his speech. He emphasized the importance of space exploration not just for scientific progress but also for national pride and security. By appealing to both logic and emotion, Kennedy successfully convinces the audience of the significance of investing in space exploration. Kennedy’s use of evidence, such as highlighting the technological advancements made possible by the space program and the potential benefits for future generations, strengthened his argument.

Read More
558 Words | 3 Pages

Kennedy uses the present situations of the world to grab emotional appeal and support from his audience through the lens of the Space Race. From paragraphs 6-7, Kennedy claims this event to be one of the greatest adventures of our time, and through the support of his American citizens, they will overcome any hostile subject that stands in their way. He uses contrast to the opposing nations to uplift the American spirit, and similarity because both sides fight for influential

Read More
248 Words | 1 Pages

On September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University. In his speech, he used anecdotes, beliefs, and analogies to appeal for support of NASA. Kennedy starts with an anecdote about how if we compress the last 50,000 years of history into half a century, we realize how far we have come in such a short amount of time. This highlights human history and shows how the next natural step is to venture to the stars. In paragraph 4, Kennedy continues by talking about his belief that we are meant to move forward and make progress.

Read More
500 Words | 2 Pages

President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University Stadium in Houston, Texas on September 12, 1962. Kennedy was appealing for support for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s program, better known as NASA, to land humans on the moon. Kennedy had a great ambition for exploration and expansion, which he used to encourage the main audience, predominantly students, politicians, and people interested in space exploration. John F. Kennedy uses the rapid advancement of technology, the inevitable exploration of space, responsibility as a nation, and the possible benefits of space travel to effectively encourage his audience to have the same ambition. By showing the audience the rapid advancement of technology, Kennedy demonstrates

Read More
546 Words | 3 Pages

John F. Kennedy on September 12, 1962, delivered a speech to the world to hear. Speaking on why space should be explored and why humans should investigate. John F. Kennedy uses Anecdotes, Logos, and Imagery to effectively convey the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s program to get citizens to agree that they should be exploring space and studying out there. An anecdote is used in the beginning of John F. Kennedy's speech to remind humans where we first started off and how little we had.

Read More
1484 Words | 6 Pages

Moreover, Kennedy's space program had significant geological indications. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a fierce competition known as the "Space Race." By committing to landing a man on the moon, Kennedy aimed to demonstrate American mechanical excellence and establish the United States as a global leader. The successful moon landing of Apollo XI in 1969 achieved that goal and compacted America's position as a powerful force in space exploration. Overall, Kennedy's help with the space program left a lasting legacy.

Read More
552 Words | 3 Pages

In John F. Kennedy’s speech “We Choose to Go to the Moon”, he emphasizes the United States’s commitment to freedom and unity for everyone using allusion, metaphors, and imagery in order to demonstrate that America is willing to make significant sacrifices for world peace. Kennedy believes that going to space would achieve his goal of uniting people because it is a challenging task that requires many people to work together. Kennedy first empowers the audience with allusion by reminding them of “those who came before us” and made America “[ride] the first waves of industrial revolutions”, modern inventions, and nuclear power and this generation intends “to be a part of” these successes. Kennedy expresses that the U.S. desires to discover new ideas, especially space exploration.

Read More
1440 Words | 6 Pages

He makes mention then of the leadership at national level in the dependency of the important decision to dominate the space race that appears before it. Kennedy continues to reinforce his speech by speaking now about the dangers that would be unleashed for the country if it decided against space exploration. The dangers of ignorance and the disadvantage that this would imply in a warlike

Read More
844 Words | 4 Pages

The use of ethos shows how credible and reliable Kennedy is as he utilizes his position and knowledge as president to reassure the nation that space exploration is possible. Kairos was also an effective strategy for Kennedy, since he knew of the accomplishments of the Soviet Union years prior, and in turn took advantage of the current state of America in the space race. JFK’s moon speech was very important because it was given at time where the American people were uncertain in their position as a national powerhouse, and Kennedy brought forth and set the expectations that needed to be met, especially when it came to the space race, in order to fulfill America’s legacy of being

Read More

More about Sputnik Moment: The Race For Space And World Prestige

Related Topics

Open Document