Outside of Our Orbits!

Throughout the Cold War, the U.S. and the Soviet Union continued to push each other towards brinkmanship, particularly with artillery demands in what was called the "Arms Race". Soon, many Americans thought they saw the most of their worries when the U.S. and U.S.S.R. both tested Hydrogen bombs in 1952 and 1953. Yet, the technological advancements have just begun to develop an overwhelming scare.

In 1957, the Soviet Union saw the rise of space power during this time period. Most notably, the Soviets launched Sputnik 1 into the atmosphere above the Earth. While the Americans were stuck on creating inventions for Hydrogen fission and the Hydrogen bomb, the Soviets proceeded greatly. In successfully launching Sputnik 1, the satellite was much larger and heavier than most American scientists previously thought it was. The satellite was big enough that America became completely stunned by the fact. The Soviets could eventually create more satellites to hold ICBM's or Intercontinental Balistic Missiles. In response, the Americans launched a satellite of their own, Explorer I. President Dwight D. Eisenhower also signed off on developing the National Aeronautics and Space Organization or NASA. All of this was to help compete with the Soviets even further and of course the Soviets answered back.

In 1959, the Soviets launched Luna 2 into the atmosphere to attempt to be the first to hit the moon. Although this attempt failed, the Soviet Union in fact were the first to orbit man around Earth. The Americans soon tried to top Yuri Gagarin's attempt before his next mission was to be launched. Then President John F. Kennedy took office and declared that the American Space Organization was to have a man on the moon by the end of the 60's decade. As an effect, the Apollo missions begun a series long attempt to head towards the moon. The most famous is Apollo 13, where the American astronauts had to survive on a broken oxygen tank. Neil Armstrong became the first man on the moon calling this extraordinary mission "one small step for man, one giant step for mankind."

As a whole, the Americans "won" the Space Race that all started with the launch of Sputnik in 1957. To make an official agreement, three Americans and a Soviet space vehicle met in orbit to make a final "handshake" to settle U.S. and Soviet tensions in the Cold War.

Decisions, Decisions...

With the election of John F. Kennedy in 1960, the Americans soon gained positive views about America's new leader. Even so, that some Americans believed Kennedy could dwelve into the failed aspects of Dwight D. Eisenhower's Presidency. Coming from a very wealthy family, the Kennedy's redefined popular culture and the way the citizens felt about the reliability of the Government. Today, this is not entirely the case. However, believe it or not, America still had its struggles with its neighboring nations. Only, this go-around would be the most costly decisions for the fate of American lives in American history.

Tracking back to Eisenhower's Presidency, an incident regarding to keep a close eye on Cuba was intact. This incident was called the Bay of Pigs, where the U.S. had close suspicion of dangerous nuclear weapons landing on Cuba. As an effect, an invasion was soon brought to discussion and in 1961, the American troops mixed with Cuban exiles stormed the shores of Cuba to attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro (Cuban Dictator). Cuban exiles were used mainly to persuade the Cuban citizens and even members of the Army to switch sides. Although, the mission unfortunately was a complete disaster when Soviet armies who sent the bombs to Cuba, destroyed the lines of the Americans. At this very moment, U.S. citizens and officials became especially weary on what was the next move for the Soviets and/or Cubans.

The situation annoyed the Americans so much that in the next year (1962), U-2 planes were ordered by the Kennedy Administration to show evidence of shipments of nuclear weapons into Cuba. These planes were ordered to "not get shot down" because the Soviets use of firepower would ultimately cause America to declare war. Besides the federal issues heating up, paranoia struck the lives of the "happy" American people. Soon after the media issued the Governmental situation, children's schools prepped annual bomb drills by hiding under desks. Even the adults would go to Church and pray for their families. Americans during this time acted with great paranoia and had to be on their toes each and every minute.

Tension began to grow, as the U.S. acted with s strong blockade, preventing the ships from entering the coast of Cuba. When these ships failed to cooperate, the Americans fired with great care, although this mostly never happened. Usually, the Soviets turned away, and when there were submarines planning to sneak in, the sub could be identified by two Soviet cargo ships drafting along each side. Finally, President Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev settled the tension when the Soviets expected us to remove our Jupiter missiles from Turkey. With that settlement, the Soviets would remove nuclear weapons from Cuba. Could America be at total world piece after this agreement? Certainly not.