Final answer:
The U.S. made significant steps in space exploration during the 1950s and 1960s but balanced this less directly with civil rights advances. The moon landing and the growth of related industries and education came from a focused space race, while civil rights progress was driven by grassroots movements and not always a priority in federal spending.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether the U.S. achieved a balance between innovation in space exploration and advancing the civil rights of all its citizens during the 1950s and 1960s is a complex one. On the one hand, the period saw significant advancements in space exploration, highlighted by the moon landing in 1969, which came as a result of intense competition with the USSR in the space race. Yet, while federal resources were poured into achieving technological marvels, progress in civil rights was largely driven by grassroots activism, representing a different type of national effort.
During the 1960s, the focus on space exploration did not directly change the economic situation for low-income communities. Nonetheless, the space program's advancements did fuel growth in industries and education that indirectly served as a catalyst for broader social changes. However, it is debatable if these investments adequately addressed or balanced the needs and rights of underprivileged groups during this time of profound social change.