The Cold War began the use of space for war advantages. At the end of World War II, the dropping of the two atomic bombs changed the way war was fought forever. The Cold War brought the need for gathering intelligence on enemy countries driving the Cold War into the space race developing artificial intelligence, satellites, which would be used for military use including spying and reconnaissance. Many government agencies were formed and created the Corona Satellite having the most effect on the Cold War intelligence gathering. Without the use of satellites during the Cold War and agencies formed for foreign surveillance, the satellites used daily for television, GPS, photography, reconnaissance, and space exploration would not exist. Satellites …show more content…
Founded in 1947, the CIA handles duties regarding foreign intelligence and national security. The CIA lead the U-2 spy plane missions; for example: the spy planes were used to detect the weapons in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis (Lerner, 193). On top of the CIA controlling the U-2 spy planes, they developed the Keyhole satellite program, Corona satellites, outdoing the capabilities of the Air Force's early satellite program SAMOS (Lerner, 197). Apart of the 14 other intelligence organizations is the National Reconnaissance Office, NRO, relating directly to the Cold War being created due to the launching and photoreconassiance from the Corona/Keyhole Satellites. The NRO’s role is collecting satellites and aircraft reconnaissance for other agencies, and researching, designing, and deploying the reconnaissance satellites (Lerner, 350). Founded in 1960, the primary task and concern for the NRO was to track troops, plane and missile deployments of our enemies taking the leadership of the Corona program. Currently, the NRO gathers crucial information from “spy” satellites which is used for national security against terrorism (Lerner, 351). The Corona, was the first United States Satellite used for reconnaissance, spying, and military …show more content…
The United States took initiative and started surveillance on the Soviets by using U-2 spy planes. After the incident of Gary Powers being killed when flying, the push for spying in space would allow for intelligence on other countries above Earth’s atmosphere and unnoticeable. Many government agencies developed the Corona satellite having a major impact on the Cold War. This imagery allowed for the ability to verify missiles and weapons which gave the United States confidence and a strategy when fighting or signing treaties. This satellite allowed for the collapsing of the Berlin Wall and ending the war against Communism. Today Satellites are launched and used from many countries all across the world. These satellites allow for television, communication, weather, GPS navigation, spying, space exploration, and so much more. The Corona Satellite opened the gates of all the new technology advantages for space satellites which will continue into the future as technology advances and circumstances encourage new
Now that after America and the Soviet Union where both partaking in the space race they both had suspicions about each other. Eisenhower, on the other hand, saw satellites as “pointless unless they provided something useful back on Earth” (DeGroot 5). “ A spy satellite, on the other hand, could provide accurate pictures of Soviet military capabilities, thus enabling the United States to spend its defense budget wisely, without wasting huge sums on challenging phantom forces” (DeGroot 5). America was worried about the Soviets spying on America because of security issues so America wanted to pursue on building themselves a satellite to “provide accurate pictures of Soviet military capabilities” (DeGroot 5). The only problem was that “ Flying over another nation’s territory without permission was, however, illegal under international law. What was not clear was whether the law applied to satellites” (DeGroot 5). America and the Soviets were in a battle to see which world power could be the best. The
On October 4th, 1957 the Soviet Union launched the first ever satellite, Sputnik. The launch of Sputnik sent the United States into a frenzy, beginning the Space Race, and the innovation of technology as a whole. The Space Race most importantly had a major impact on the evolution of the United States’s defense technologies through the launch of Sputnik. The Space Race sparked the United States battle for technological superiority against the USSR, and lead to improvizations in their satellite and satellite defense technologies.
The Cold War saw several fronts where competition for bragging rights between the United States and Soviet Union escalated into almost total nuclear wars. The Cold War was one of those fronts where tensions grew dramatically.After the launch of Sputnik from the Soviets the United States decided it was time to start evolving its technology in a way that was efficient and progressing faster than the Soviets. The Cold War affected the development of technology in the United States by making the government more invested in what went into the air and how the United States could be better than the Soviets in their production of nuclear weapons,communication, satellites, the foundation of the internet,and military advancements.
Following the detonation of two atomic bombs over Japan and the closure of World War II, the United States of America and the Soviet Union entered a period of ideological conflict, the Cold War. The United States sought to preserve and protect democracy throughout the world while the Soviet Union established communist satellite states. During the Cold War, the United States government pushed for the expansion of the United States space program in an attempt to demonstrate power and innovation over the Russians, and in doing so, accelerated the process of space exploration and endangered the lives of their astronauts.
In addition to initiating a space race between the two current superpowers, the Sputnik spacecraft launch also had alarming military implications. The Sputnik satellites used intercontinental ballistic missiles that were initially used for their thrust capabilities but could theatrically be capable of flying from the Soviet Union to United States military targets in less than an hour—cutting the flight time to a fraction of a conventional bomber aircraft. In response to the launch of Sputnik, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958. The act created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) . To prevent the rise of Soviet dominance in military matters, Eisenhower also established the Advanced Research Projects Agency, a division of the U.S. Department of Defense. This was symbolic of a serious revelation of the standing of the scientific and technological capabilities of America in comparison to other countries, and also led to President Eisenhower issuing a proclamation to increase funding for education in America in science and engineering to combat this widening deficit. The quick Soviet lead in the newly emerging space race caused much panic, which shaped American foreign policy for the following decade(Document E). An example is avoiding “an all-out war with China” for fear of having to combat communism on two fronts.(Document
The Cold War was an all-encompassing face of the 20th century, world politics, and a major idea during this time was domination of the skies. The United States competed against The Soviet Union in a war unlike any other, they didn’t fight with guns, bombs, or war machines but with science and the battlefield was space. The prioritization of the space race on the national agenda was characterized by an urgency, which underscored the commitment to the U.S. to defeat the Soviet Union by all means necessary. This came at the cost of billions of dollars, resources, lives, and political forces.
After World War II drew to a close in the mid-20th century, a new conflict began. Known as the Cold War, this battle involved the two world’s greatest powers the democratic and capitalist United States against the communist Soviet Union. Beginning later in the 1950s, space would eventually become another very dramatic arena for competition between the U.S and U.S.S.R, each side looked to prove the superiority of their own technology, along with its military firepower and of course their political-economic systems. Sputnik, name of the first of several artificial satellites launched by the Soviet Union from 1957 to 1961. Successfully launched and entered Earth 's orbit. Thus, beginning the space age. The successful launch shocked the
There was a time period of American history that people would remember the most about; it was the time from the Great Depression to the affluent society in the 1950s. It was memorable because government established many important laws that defined American's modern economy. Moreover, it rebuilt the federal government’s relationship to its citizens when Americans developed patriotism to stimulate the economy. In addition, the government played important roles in creating national wealth by setting up policies. These policies encouraged citizens to own business which rebuilt U.S. economy that led to an affluent society. Unfortunately, minor ethnic groups such as Japanese American during WWII and African Americans
During the twentieth century, the power struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union emerged through proxy wars and the Space Race. The Cold War began in 1947 when the United States worried about the growing influence of the Soviet Union on Eastern European nations(Challenge to Apollo). The rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States had become one of the biggest contests, that eventually culminated in the dissociation of the Soviet Union. Although many different events occurred during the Cold War, perhaps the most important one would be the Space Race. Despite popular belief that the atomic bomb made America a global superpower, the moon landing was the main reason why America prevailed as a global superpower because it showed America had superior technology, a preferred ally, and pulled America into the lead of the Cold War.
The Cold War propelled the United States of America into a seat of previously unattained power in the world . American citizens spearheaded the push toward advancement in their search for the epitome of happiness: the “American Dream”. Post-war paranoia was driven by the supposed threat of the spread of communism, which Americans feared could interfere with the freedoms and liberties the founding fathers fought to achieve. This paranoia eventually controlled the thoughts and actions of citizens everywhere. The Second Red Scare spread across America like a virus, leaving a trail of dread and despair in its wake. The fear of the growing communist regime, a lack of trust between citizens and the government, and a zealous streak of American pride drove the U.S. toward internal conflict and potential devastation.
The Space Race took place between 1957 and 1969, and some of the world’s most famous inventions were created, innovations that have changed the world ever since. In 1957, the U.S., after the Soviet Union launched their space satellite “Sputnik 1,” decided to launch their own satellite into space, “Explorer 1” (“The Space Race”). This was the kickoff of the decade long race between the two world powers for the control of the space. The Space Race illustrated the battle between democracy and communism, and the competition dramatically changed views on these leadership methods. The Space Race not only changed views on communism, but also led to enhanced and refined technology.
The Cold War was not a fight with weapons, but rather a collection of competitions between the Soviet Union and the United States in order to prove whose government is superior. The most impactful competition, that occurred during this time, was the space race. The space race consisted of many successful and failed attempts by both countries to reach space. It
“The Cold War became a dominant influence on many aspects of American society for much of the second half of the twentieth century. It escalated due to antagonist values between the United States, representing capitalism and democracy, and the Soviet Union, representing communism and authoritarianism” (Tradshad, par. 1). This long lasting war had a lot of negative effects on the American people, but also helped many in a positive way of becoming free citizens. Although most people had feelings of hatred toward the Soviet Union, a sense of fear swept over the United States and many actions had to be taken to keep the enemy and their influences out. 4 done.
The development of nuclear weapons helped to end World War II, but in turn created their own war between the United States and the Soviet Union. The development of modified military missiles such as the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, or ICBM, by Americans and the Soviets, had an impact on the struggle of power of the Cold War. The importance of military involvement in the creation of modified missiles and engines were critical events of the Cold War. Additionally, the steps taken to get to space were a byproduct of this Arms Race and the Cold War. Because the United States and the Soviet Union feared what the other country would or could do with weapons of mass destruction and the thought of the opposing country being able to control
The end of the cold war signified a new era of history that has changed the entire world. The face of Europe and Asia has changed dramatically. Vast changes have been felt socially, politically, and especially economically. Also the effect the cold war had on foreign policy was paramount. The effect of these changes is not only felt across the ocean but can be felt here in America. The goal of this paper is to define what the cold war specifically was, and reflect upon the various choices throughout the world as a result of the end of the cold war.