The Space Race, Trouble in Southeast Asia, The Vietnam Conflict, Conflict at Home, The War Ends, How were American people divided about the Vietnam War? How did media and television have an affect on American’s perception of the Vietnam War? Why was space exploration important to the US?

The Space Race In 1957 the SU launched a satellite named Sputnik into outer space. Americans were shocked when they heard the news. The US was behind in the space race. Many Americans felt that it would be dangerous to lose this race. If the SU won, they could easily spy or attack the US.

The US launched its first satellite in 1958 **The US launched its first satellite in 1958. The SU was the first to successfully send a person, Yuri Gagarin, to orbit the Earth. The US was still behind, but it began to catch up.

In 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth In 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth. More than 60 million Americans viewed the launched on television. Glenn was in space for 4 hours and 48 minutes, then returned to Earth. The US and SU continued to build new rockets and satellites. It was discovered that satellites could be used for communication.

In 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins reached the moon. Armstrong and Aldrin became the first people to walk on the moon. They collected rocks and did experiments.

Trouble in Southeast Asia Trouble in Southeast Asia **During WWII communists fighters under Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam independent from France. The fighting became more violent and France with drew its forces.

The country was split into two parts, North and South Vietnam The country was split into two parts, North and South Vietnam. Many Vietnamese fled the communist North for the South. With support from the SU and China, Ho Chi Minh began fighting to unite all Vietnam. The South did not want communism, thus begun a long war.

The US was dedicated to stopping the spread of communism The US was dedicated to stopping the spread of communism. American soldiers were sent to help train South Vietnamese army. Despite the aid the North was winning. Over the years American involvement in Vietnam quickly grew.

**The Vietnam Conflict would be one of the most difficult wars ever fought by Americans. Soldiers had to cut through thick jungles to move from place to place. The North was unlike any other enemy. Soldiers used guerrilla warfare. They would use surprise attacks day or night and many of their soldiers did not wear a uniform.

Conflict at Home At home, people watched film of the fighting on television. This made the fighting seem more real and harsh than any other war before. Some people began to question what was happening in Vietnam. Many soldiers and civilians were being killed and it was clear that the US was not winning the war.

People began protesting the war People began protesting the war. Many protests were peaceful, but some became violent. They tore up offices, burned the American flag, or bombed buildings. Men would burn their draft cards or move to Canada.

**In 1973, the US signed a cease-fire with North Vietnam and American soldiers left Vietnam. South Vietnam surrendered in 1975 uniting the whole country under communism.