To what extent did the Space Race and the Cold War affect our understanding and perception of how important a space program is to the strength of a country, and how does this continue to shape our perception of whether or not these programs are necessary? The Space Race and Cold War were pivotal moments in world history strong in tension and competition. The events caused the creation of a new sector in the global economy and defense, and affected our perception of the strength of a country. The increased demand for development and production of new technologies created many jobs. One prime example of how a major event in the Space Race had an effect on foreign relations and the global economy was the launch of Sputnik. Its launch changed many aspects of how the Soviet Union, the United States, and other countries interacted with each other. The United States saw this Soviet “victory” as a threat to their superiority, both technologically and politically (Harding 51). It caused the United States was concerned about its perception of being a powerful country.
