The Space Race, Part 1 - The Early Days And Project Mercury - Episode 1

Part 1 briefly outlines the Cold War, and how the "Space Race" got started, with the Soviets' launching of Sputnik, in October, 1957. Next came the U.S. competing with the Soviets to launch a man into space. The U.S. considered several methods for putting a man into space, but ultimately decided on Project Mercury, and set out to find seven astronauts to carry America's torch into space. 

Standards

• 5-5 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the social, economic and political events that influenced the United States during the Cold War era.
  • The post–World War II period was dominated by a power conflict that pitted former allies against each other over economic and political differences. This Cold War affected all aspects of American life at home and abroad. To understand the impact...
    • 5-5.1 Explain the causes and the course of the Cold War between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the United States, including McCarthyism, the spread of communism, the Korean Conflict, Sputnik, the Berlin Wall, the Cuban Missile Crisi...
• This indicator was developed to promote inquiry into how the lifestyles of those living in capitalist countries differed from those living in communist countries. This indicator was also designed to promote inquiry into how the rights of citizens differed in capitalist and communist countries.
  • This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into how the United States’ and Soviet Union’s governments adopted different ideologies leading to distrust and tension. This indicator was also developed to encourage inquiry into the even...
• 7-5 The student will demonstrate an understanding of international developments during the Cold War era.
  • Events during the Cold War affected the world politically, socially, and economically. To understand the significance of the Cold War, the student will utilize the knowledge and skills set forth in the following indicators:
    • 7-5.4 Analyze the political and technological competition between the Soviet Union and the United States for global influence, including the Korean Conflict, the Berlin Wall, the Vietnam War, the Cuban missile crisis, the "space race," and the threat o...
• This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into how different party platforms evolved following World War II. This indicator promotes inquiry into how the major parties came to represent different approaches to fiscal and political governance as well as social and judicial policies.
  • This indicator was developed to facilitate inquiry into the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union scientifically, economically, ideologically, and socially. This indicator also promotes inquiry into the proxy wars conducted on the Kor...

Resources