Chapter 23, Student Web Activities, The American Republic Since 1877, Glencoe, 2003

Social Studies, The American Republic Since 1877

Chapter 23: The New Frontier and the Great Society, 1961–1968
"Space Case"

Introduction
In 1961 President Kennedy asked for Americans' commitment to "landing a man on the moon" before the end of the decade. Kennedy's challenge would require an army of scientists, academics, and engineers working around the clock to successfully complete the mission. The goal was met on July 20, 1969, when Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to step on the moon. The National Air and Space Museum designed this Web site to tell the story of the United States effort to undertake the unprecedented journey across thousands of miles of space. Go to this Web site to learn why Kennedy asked for the moon and how NASA delivered on its promise.

Destination Title: Apollo to the Moon

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Directions
Start at the Apollo to the Moon Web site.

Enter the site by clicking on "Enter the Gallery."
Browse through the site, taking notes as you go.

After you have read through the information, answer the following questions.

1. How did Kennedy use the cold war to win support for his moon landing challenge?

2. Characterize the United States's commitment to the lunar landing mission.

3. Describe the projects that paved the way for a moon landing.

4. Explain why attitudes toward space exploration changed after the Apollo program.

5. Kennedy did not live to witness a moon landing, nor did he envision the possibility of a Russian and American space collaborative. Imagine that you are able to travel back in time to the moments just following President Kennedy's historic moon landing speech to Congress. On a separate sheet of paper, write a dialogue in which you inform President Kennedy of some of the future achievements of the space program.