The Vostok Program

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The Vostok Program
The Vostok Space Program, launched by the USSR during the Cold War, was a huge breakthrough in the field of astronautics. This program managed to launch the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, which left Americans speechless. The Russians’ achievements provoked America to start keeping up with them. The Russians’ and the Americans’ struggle to be the most technologically advanced nation in the world is known as the Space Race. As a consequence of their race, many inventions and advancements came into being, many of them being used for other purposes than astronautics. The Vostok Program was a turning point in history by humanity’s first exploration of space, its provocation of the space race during the Cold War, and the practical uses of the inventions created for competing in the space race.
Humanity’s first exploration into space changed the world of astronautics by revolutionizing space travel for both the USSR and the United States. After WWII ended, many countries were torn apart and general enmity radiated from opposing countries. This period of political and military hostility is known as the Cold War, and it lasted from 1945-1991 (Kramer) However, two powerful nations were the main antagonists of the Cold War- Russia, (formerly known as the USSR), and the United States. As these two countries started threatening each other with attacks, the compulsion to defend themselves skyrocketed. Their nuclear weapon stockpiles increased dramatically, and on October 30, 1961, the USSR tested and detonated their biggest nuclear bomb, called the Tsar Bomba. This bomb was unique in the fact that it was the largest nuclear bomb ever detonated (and remains so), having the energy equivalent to 50 million tons of TNT (“Th...

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...oviet armies could hardly beat a small German army, even though they often had more soldiers (Deborah 126). Finally, they had been given the chance to prove themselves to the other nations that they were competent; that they could be a world power. However, America was not going to permit being shown up by the Russians. With greater amounts of resources, money, and skill, America ultimately beat the Soviet Union in the Space Race, even without a headstart. That being said, the Race wasn’t a waste of resources for both the Soviet Union and United States, as many practical uses for the inventions created for the Race were found. In conclusion, The Vostok Program was a turning point in history by humanity’s first exploration of space, its provocation of the space race during the Cold War, and the practical uses of the inventions created for competing in the Space Race.

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