Question

What event most clearly prompted the US government to pursue the Space Race? the successful launch of Yuri Gagarin into space by the Soviet Union the Soviet Union’s surprising launch of Sputnik into Earth’s orbit the declaration by President Kennedy to land a man on the Moon the US government’s increase in defense spending after World War II the sudden invasion of South Korea by the North Korean military

Answer 1

The correct answer is the Soviet Union's suprising launch of Sputnik into Earth's orbit.

The US government and citizens were worried that this capability could be used by the Soviet Union in order to attack the United States. This was one of the biggest factors behind increased funding to NASA. Along with this, the federal government worked with schools to put a focus on mathematics, science, and engineering in public schools. This competition between space related accomplishments would lead to the Space Race that lasted roughly 2 decades.

Answer 2

The launch of Sputnik into the Earth's orbit was the most clearly prompted choice that enabled the United States to pursue the Space Race.