Final answer:
Recent Soviet achievements in space influenced President Kennedy's decision to focus on the U.S. space program, as he saw it as an opportunity to regain American confidence, demonstrate technological superiority, and assert American leadership in the Cold War competition.
Step-by-step explanation:
President John F. Kennedy's decision to focus on the U.S. space program was heavily influenced by recent Soviet achievements in space. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into space, which shocked and worried the American public. This event highlighted the technological superiority of the Soviets and created a sense of urgency for the U.S. to catch up.
Kennedy recognized the importance of maintaining American prestige and countering the Soviet threat. He believed that investing in space exploration would not only showcase American technological capabilities but also serve as a symbol of American exceptionalism. In 1961, he announced the goal of landing a man on the moon before the end of the decade, known as the Apollo program.
This decision was motivated by the need to regain American confidence, demonstrate scientific and technological superiority, and assert American leadership in the Cold War competition with the Soviet Union.