Political Awareness

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October saw many moments that reshaped America’s role in the world, tested its security, and changed the daily life of many Americans

On October 1st, 1908, the first produced Model T Ford was completed in Detroit Michigan. Between 1908 and 1927 Ford mass produced around 15 million Model T cars. It was the longest production run of any automobile until the Volkswagen Beetle surpassed it in 1972. Back in the early 1900s, cars were a rarity, a luxury for the rich. When the Model T was introduced it was fairly expensive for the time, costing around $825 or $18,000 today. Once the assembling line was introduced, the cost was driven down to $290, making it much more affordable for the average American. Ford was able to keep prices low by only sticking to producing the Model T, rather than multiple different cars. A system of interchangeable parts was possible that allowed them to produce less waste, save time, and make it easier for workers to build the vehicle.

By 1914 thousands of cars were produced a week, and a decade later 10,000 Model T casts could be made in a day. By the early 1920s, Americans wanted different styles, speed, and luxury cars. The Model T only came in one configuration and one color. After May 26, 1927, the Model T was retired. The Model T was revolutionary for its time as it allowed many Americans to get automobiles at an affordable price and paved the way for cars to become an everyday luxury for many Americans.

Source

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/october-1/ford-motor-company-unveils-the-model-t

First Satellite Launched

October 4th, 1957 saw the first satellite launched by the Soviet Union: Sputnik I. It was the size of a beachball and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth. This event kicked off the space race between the USSR and the United States. The US was caught off guard by the launch, as they just started planning to launch a satellite only 2 years earlier. The US feared that the Soviet’s ability to launch satellites into space would also allow them to launch ballistic missiles into space.

The Department of Defense immediately approved funding for a second satellite project, Vanguard and Explorer. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created a year later under the “Space Act”, as well as other Space agencies in response to the Sputnik satellites. Explorer I and Vanguard I were launched next year as well. The Space Race of the Cold War was in full swing, which led to numerous space and science advancements from all over the world.

Source

https://www.nasa.gov/history/sputnik/index.html#:~:text=History%20changed%20on%20October%204,Earth%20on%20its%20elliptical%20path.

On the Brink of War

Continuing with the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis saw Cold War tensions reach its peak from October 16th to October 20th 1962. It is regarded as the closest the world came to nuclear war. It was unique in numerous ways due to calculations, miscalculations, communications, and miscommunications between the USSR and United States, both direct and secret. The situation was effectively handled in the White House and Kremlin with little interference from other agencies respectively.

After the failure of the Bay of Pigs earlier in Kennedy’s Administration, Soviet Premier Khrushchev made a deal with Cuba to store nuclear missiles to deter any future attacks. Construction of missile sites began in the summer, but US Intelligence discovered a build up of Soviet arms in the country. On the 14th, a U-2 Spy Plane took multiple photos showing medium to intermediate range missiles. On October 22nd, President Kennedy ordered a “quarantine” of Cuba, which was effectively a blockade. The reason why it was called a quarantine was because a blockade is considered an act of war. He also sent a letter to Khrushchev demanding that the sites be deconstructed and missiles sent back to the USSR.

DEFCON 2

Khrushchev responded that the Soviet ships will proceed, calling the blockade an “act of aggression”. Some ships turned back, but others proceeded. With no end in sight, the US went to DEFCON 2. On the 26th, the crisis turned around when a message from the USSR talking about avoiding a nuclear holocaust. The next day, another message was sent suggesting that the missiles will be removed if the US removes its Jupiter missiles from Turkey. The US tried to ignore the second missile, but these efforts failed. Eventually an agreement was made to remove the missiles from Turkey in exchange the missiles were removed in Cuba. The USSR removed their missiles in November, and the US in April of next year.

Source

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1961-1968/cuban-missile-crisis

Vote to authorize the use military force

On October 11th, 2002, Congress voted to authorize the use of military force against Iraq. The measure passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 296–133 and the Senate by 77–23. President Bush signed the law on the 16th. This decision paved the way for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The President praised the action saying, “America speaks with one voice”. The resolution requires Bush to notify Congress before or within 48 hours after military action that diplomatic efforts to enforce U.N Resolutions failed. He also must certify that operations in Iraq will not hinder pursuits of al Qaeda forces. As well as an update of the progress of any war with Iraq every 60 days.

Although the resolution crossed party lines, Democrats were divided in the Senate, with 29 voting in favor and 21 voting against. Senator Roberd Byrd (D- West Virginia) said this is the “Tonkin Gulf Resolution all over again”. A year later, U.S forces invaded Iraq and within weeks Saddam’s government fell. Policy Makers at the time claimed that we must move to prevent Saddam from gaining a bigger WMD arsenal. But after the war no WMDs were found. The war made Iraq unstable and led to the rise of many insurgent and extremist movements like ISIS in the years following. The vote is regarded as one of the most controversial foreign policy decisions of the 21st century.

Source

https://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/10/11/iraq.us/