From Space Race to Creating Space: Cold War Era Intersectionality of the American Civil Rights Movement.
Ivanca Urecheanu (30102069) -.
HTST 300 Dr.Ken MacMillan April 3, 2024 The Cold War era was characterized by intense geopolitical competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, crossing beyond political and military realms and extending into space exploration. This was a West versus East dogma disagreement, it went beyond the two superpowers and much of the world conflict during this time was in one way or another tied to the ideology of the US or USSR. Simultaneously, from 1958 to 1965 the civil rights movement in the United States was gaining momentum, advocating for equal rights and an end to racial discrimination against African …show more content…
At the heart of the Cold War was the space race - competition for dominance in space exploration and technological innovation. The launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik in 1957 marked the beginning of an intense race with the goals of manned spaceflight and lunar exploration. However, beyond scientific achievement, the space race served as a powerful way to project national prestige and ideological superiority. The Cold War space race played a significant role in advancing the social civil rights movement for Black people in the United States by providing a platform for challenging racial discrimination, fostering scientific and technological education opportunities, and catalyzing shifts in public perceptions of equality and meritocracy. During the Cold War era, racial discrimination was pervasive in various sectors of American society, including the aerospace industry and NASA. Segregation and limited opportunities for Black Americans were common, reflecting broader patterns of racial inequality. Facilities such as NASA’s Langley Research Centre operated under segregated conditions, with Black employees often confined to menial tasks and denied access to the same resources and
Ivanca Urecheanu (30102069) -.
HTST 300 Dr.Ken MacMillan April 3, 2024 The Cold War era was characterized by intense geopolitical competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, crossing beyond political and military realms and extending into space exploration. This was a West versus East dogma disagreement, it went beyond the two superpowers and much of the world conflict during this time was in one way or another tied to the ideology of the US or USSR. Simultaneously, from 1958 to 1965 the civil rights movement in the United States was gaining momentum, advocating for equal rights and an end to racial discrimination against African …show more content…
At the heart of the Cold War was the space race - competition for dominance in space exploration and technological innovation. The launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik in 1957 marked the beginning of an intense race with the goals of manned spaceflight and lunar exploration. However, beyond scientific achievement, the space race served as a powerful way to project national prestige and ideological superiority. The Cold War space race played a significant role in advancing the social civil rights movement for Black people in the United States by providing a platform for challenging racial discrimination, fostering scientific and technological education opportunities, and catalyzing shifts in public perceptions of equality and meritocracy. During the Cold War era, racial discrimination was pervasive in various sectors of American society, including the aerospace industry and NASA. Segregation and limited opportunities for Black Americans were common, reflecting broader patterns of racial inequality. Facilities such as NASA’s Langley Research Centre operated under segregated conditions, with Black employees often confined to menial tasks and denied access to the same resources and