Final answer:
The U.S. government developed rocket and missile technology in the 1950s primarily to counter Soviet military threats during the Cold War and to maintain a strategy of deterrence through Mutual Assured Destruction. The race for missile technology also spurred advances in space exploration and a variety of other military technologies.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 1950s, the U.S. government's primary motive for the development of rocket and missile technology was to counter the threat posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. This included the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of delivering nuclear warheads.
The arms race and the ensuing development of ICBMs and related technologies were largely driven by the need for deterrence and the strategy of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD), which was a way to prevent nuclear war by ensuring that both the United States and the Soviet Union had the capabilities to deliver devastating retaliatory strikes.
Another significant outcome of the missile race was the initiation of programs for space exploration, highlighted by the establishment of NASA in 1958. The urgency of these efforts increased after the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik, the first manmade satellite, exacerbating fears that the Soviets were advancing in space and military technology. Moreover, investments in research and development across various technologies like radar, sonar, and computers played essential roles in achieving military superiority during this period.