Case Study: The Moon Landing (Leaving Cert History): Model Answers

Moon Landing 1969

Essay Plan

INTRODUCTION:

• Significance of the Moon Landing
• US vs. USSR Space Race
• Technological and Ideological Implications

BODY PARAGRAPHS:

1. Early Technological Advancements (Hiroshima, Hydrogen Bomb, ICBMs)
2. Soviet Advancements and US Response (Sputnik, NASA, Space Programmes)
3. Development of the Saturn Rocket and Apollo Missions
4. The Apollo 11 Mission and Moon Landing (Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins)
5. Return to Earth and Successful Completion of the Mission
6. Global Reactions to the Moon Landing (Positive and Negative)
7. Subsequent Apollo Missions and Soviet Response (Luna 15, Space Stations)
8. Shift in Focus to Outer Space Exploration and Satellites
9. Development of Computers and IT Industry (Mark 1, Transistor, PCs)
10. Impact of the Moon Landing on Global Technological Development

CONCLUSION:

• Long-term Impact of the Moon Landing
• Cold War's End and IT Industry Growth
• Legacy of Technological Advancements

Sample Essay

The Moon landing in 1969 was significant domestically in the US and for Cold War tensions and competitiveness. The US and USSR entered the space race, and the win had numerous ramifications. Afterwards, the US led the world in technology, such as the atomic bomb and other military technologies, to retain supremacy. The Moon landing fast-tracked research and development in this new industry, embodying American ideals of freedom and democracy, and led to further advancements. This contributed to the IT boom in the early 1990s.

Advancements in technology did not begin with the space race alone but started earlier with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Truman ordered the development of the hydrogen bomb, or the "superbomb," which was 100 times more powerful. Bomber planes were upgraded along with medium-range missiles like the Pershing. Eisenhower advanced Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), developing examples such as the Atlas, Titan, and Minuteman. This led to subsequent administrations developing the DEW (Distant Early Warning) line, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System), and SAMs (Surface-to-Air Missiles) detection systems. This technology paved the way for the start of the space race.

Soviet Russia was far ahead of the US regarding space technology, so the US needed to catch up. In 1957, the Russian Sputnik satellite was launched, and Yuri Gagarin was the first person in space. These developments prompted Eisenhower to establish NASA in 1958 and increase government spending on space research and technology. The aim was to catch up to and surpass Soviet Russia in technological advancement. Kennedy promised that the US would land a man on the Moon by the decade's end, leading to the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space programmes, which prepared for a moon landing.

The US developed the Saturn rocket in 1967, taking astronauts to the Moon. Apollo 1 was the first crewed flight, but it was a disaster due to a fire. After more testing, Apollo 11 was the first crewed moon mission. The rocket had a command, service, and lunar module. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins were chosen for the mission. The rocket took off after rigorous training on July 16, 1969. The astronauts began the three-day journey to the Moon when it reached orbit.

They reached the Moon on July 20 after orbiting the Moon several times. Armstrong and Aldrin entered the lunar module on the primary day, leaving Collins in the command module. The lunar module landed safely in the Sea of Tranquillity, with Armstrong saying, "The Eagle has landed" and "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Millions around the globe watched the landing. Armstrong and Aldrin spent 20 hours on the Moon, collecting rock samples and conducting scientific experiments. The moon landing captivated the world's attention and showcased the US's achievement.

The lunar module took off from the Moon and docked with the command module to return to Earth. As the spacecraft reentered Earth's atmosphere, it had a protective heat shield and parachutes to slow it down. The capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, and the astronauts were taken aboard a recovery ship to quarantine for 21 days in case they brought back any harmful bacteria from space. The moon landing and return had been a tremendous success, and President Nixon met with the astronauts upon their return. At this point, the US had undoubtedly surpassed Soviet Russia in the space race.

The reactions around the globe were primarily positive to the moon landing. However, its significance was downplayed in communist countries. Russian radio stations only briefly mentioned it, and people in China were mostly unaware of it. On the other hand, Arab nations interrupted war bulletins to praise the event, and in Poland (which was a communist-controlled country), people crowded into the US Embassy to celebrate. Britain's Prime Minister Wilson stated that the world felt "heartfelt relief" from the "very dangerous mission." The moon landing was hugely significant to US foreign policy in this way.

Five more crewed landings followed the successful Apollo 11 mission. It was a tremendous victory for capitalism and democracy, with around 400,000 people involved in the mission. In response, the Soviets tried to launch the Luna 15, but it crashed-landed on the Moon, so their focus shifted to space stations. Soon, NASA's budget was cut due to the Vietnam War. Irish Taoiseach Lynch said the moon landing would "lead mankind to the unity of minds and hearts," which positively painted the US and its ideals.

After the moon missions became too expensive, the focus shifted to exploring outer space. Many crewless flights were made to Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and Venus to gather knowledge and look for signs of life. NASA developed the Skylab space station to orbit the Earth and test human ability to survive in space. Spy satellites were launched by both the US and Russia, showing the location of military stations. Satellites also helped provide more accurate and long-term weather forecasts and improved communications like radio, phone, and TV. The technology from the moon landing was highly significant to further developments made in the US and globally.

One of the most significant of these developments was the computer. The Mark 1, developed by IBM and Harvard, was very soon followed by the upgraded ENIAC and UNIVAC, used in the military, for the census, and in the presidential election. In 1947, William Shockley invented the transistor, which led to the microchip and smaller computers. The first personal computers (PCs) were made in the 1970s by Apple and IBM. Bill Gates and Microsoft then made them more user-friendly and accessible. Space race technology aided the IT boom at the end of the 20th century.

The computer industry grew exponentially, employing 7 million people by 1990 and adding $100 billion to the US economy. The industry expanded to countries with lower taxes and wages. There was an explosion of knowledge sharing, driven by the internet, which furthered globalisation, quick money transfers, and communication. The world developed rapidly technology-wise, thanks to the discoveries from the space and arms races.

In conclusion, The Moon landing and the events that preceded and succeeded it had a massive impact on the US and the world. The collapse of the USSR in 1991 ended the Cold War, which allowed further investment in the development of the IT industry. Thirty years ago, people only had access to dial-up internet, but today, it is a core aspect of life for everyone worldwide. This shows that without the technology that came to be from the Moon landing, the world would not have developed so quickly, providing unprecedented access to information than ever before in human history.