The Space Race during the Cold War
a) became a matter of national pride for only the Soviet Union
b) became a source of fierce competition between European powers
c) was used by U.S. politicians to distract attention from other policy successes
d) had grave military applications with the first firing of Sputnik*********
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The correct answer is d) had grave military applications with the first firing of Sputnik.
To arrive at this answer, you can analyze the historical context and events surrounding the Space Race during the Cold War. Here's how you can explain it further:
The Space Race was a competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War to achieve milestones in space exploration. While it did become a matter of national pride for both countries, it also had significant military implications. The launch of Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite by the Soviet Union in 1957, played a pivotal role in shaping the perception of the Space Race.
The successful launch of Sputnik had far-reaching military implications because it demonstrated the Soviet Union's ability to place objects into orbit. This raised concerns for the United States, as it showed that the Soviet Union had developed the technology necessary to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). This caused grave concern in the United States, as it now posed a potential threat by having the capability to strike anywhere in the world with nuclear warheads.
The fear of the military applications of space technology and the potential for a technological advantage prompted the United States to respond aggressively. The U.S. government established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958 and invested heavily in space research and development. The subsequent race to achieve various milestones, such as the first human in space and the first manned moon landing, was fueled by a desire to maintain military and technological dominance.
So, while the Space Race did have elements of national pride and competition, it primarily had grave military applications, especially after the first firing of Sputnik.