The American public was rocked to the core in October of 1957 when the Soviets successfully launched Sputnik, the first satellite to orbit the earth, aboard a large, hi-tech rocket. Although the satellite did little but send an audible beep back to earth, many Americans asked the ominous question; if the Russians could put a satellite aboard a high powered rocket, what else could they put onboard as a payload? The Cold War was on the verge of entering a phase where nuclear weapons could be placed aboard ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles). With one of the greatest scientific achievements of the era, the Soviets had severely upset the balance of power. Fears immediately surfaced that America had significantly fallen behind the Soviets in the space race.
Despite the American governments attempt to downplay the importance of Sputnik, the decision was made to significantly increase funding for math and science programs in schools, new weapons technology, and the development of a space program by the U.S. military. In addition, tensions increased between the nations as Soviet Premiere Nikita Khrushchev bragged about the technological superiority of the Russians and their growing stockpile of ICBMs. The U.S. immediately began the undertaking the development of its own ICBMs in order to restore the tenuous arms balance that was crucial during the Cold War.
Text Dependent Questions
1. What was the main idea behind the title of the cartoon "Awake at Last?"
2. Why is the term "complacency" on the headboard behind Uncle Sam?
3. Why is the title formed as a question rather than a statement?
Beaumont, D. [Dan Beaumont Space Museum]. (2011). Sputnik 1 CBS News Special Report on TV, October 6 1957 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMFvr1VwSSo
Engel, J. A., Lawrence, M. A., & Preston, A. (Eds.). (2014). America in the world: A history in documents from the war with Spain to the war on terror. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Hoffman, D. [Dan Hoffman]. (2009). Retrieved from The Story of the Sputnik Moment [Video file]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhJnt3xW2Fc
Marcus, E. (1957). Awake at Last? [Cartoon]. Retrieved from http://www.icsnyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/sputnik-jpg.jpg?w=283
Milestones 1953-1960: Sputnik 1957. (n.d.). U.S. Department of State: Office of the Historian. Retrieved, from: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/sputnik