The Apollo 11 mission began because of the Cold War. The Soviet Union and the United States had a major conflict over economics and politics after World War II. As a result, the Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into space ultimately marking the beginning of the space race. With the urge to get the first man into space, the USSR successfully put Yuri Gagarin into Earth’s orbit proving the U.S. was incapable of competing with the Soviets. Despite the Soviets being the first into space, President John F. Kennedy stated, “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieve the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon, and returning him safely to the Earth.” Within eight years of Kennedy’s remark, Apollo 11 was established eventually leading the first man to set foot on the moon.

“President John F. Kennedy Announces Moon Landing as National Goal in a Speech.”

[Major, Jason.]

[“Sputnik 1 (Replica).”]

Sputnik

Yuri Gagarin

The images above presents the Soviet Union's rush to space plans. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Soviet's sent a temporary satellite, Sputnik, Yuri Gagarin, the first man to space. ​​​​​​​

“Decision to Go to the Moon.”