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The United States Moon Landing of 1969 Essay example

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"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard" (Kennedy). When John F. Kennedy said these famous words, he set the stage for one of the greatest accomplishments the United States of America has ever made. Over the course of that decade, the space race would be in full swing; a universal goal would unite the nation to achieve the dream of sending a man to the moon and safely back to earth. Through human determination, the United States made enough scientific breakthroughs to alter events back on planet earth. In one decade, this nation was able to prove that the sky is no longer the limit. How was the United States able to effectively accomplish such a colossal …show more content…

The prevention of communism via the Cold War was crucial to Americans at the time of the space race, and they viewed this international competition as another way to prove democracy would succeed over communism.
Lastly, a main reason for the United States taking the financial burden of sending a man to the moon and back was nationalism. This must have been a drive, as the astronauts made a point to secure an American flag not only on the surface of the moon, but also on each of their suits (Chaikin 240-241). To secure the public's knowledge that this event was the doing of the United States, a phone call was made from the surface of the moon to President Richard Nixon (Redd). It was reasonable for the United States to use great resources required for space travel because it allowed for this nation to take credit for the space race and increase nationalism within its people.
A Small Step for a Man
Stepping foot onto the moon may have been a small step for a man, but it required remarkable efforts and breakthroughs in technology. Werner von Braun, a scientist of the time, stated, "'It will require years of concentrated effort to come abreast, and even longer to pull ahead'" (D'Antonio 174). As most people know, America was able to gain momentum and beat the Soviets through an increase in sophisticated technology. In a time before electronic technology

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