Terrified Americans After Sputnik (1957) Launched. What They Said On NYC Streets

I love watching interviews of people on the streets just saying what they think. This incredible man-on-the-streets (NYC) recording was made either right after the launch of Sputnik 1 in October 1957 or after the launch of Sputnik 2 just one month later with the dog Laika aboard.

Everyone has and opinion. Especially when it relates to defense, security, science, or, among many other subjects, animal-rights.

Here is why Americans were afraid after the first artificial satellite Sputnik 1 launched. The event triggered a significant reaction provoking fear and anxiety among Americans.

Cold War Tensions: At the time, the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a fierce Cold War, which was marked by intense competition and suspicion between the two superpowers. The launch of Sputnik was seen as a significant technological achievement by the Soviet Union, which raised concerns that the United States was falling behind in the arms race.

National Security Concerns: Many Americans were worried that Sputnik could be used for military purposes, such as spying on the United States or launching missiles. This raised concerns about the country's national security and the potential for the Soviet Union to gain an advantage in the arms race.

Educational Concerns: The launch of Sputnik also exposed shortcomings in the American education system, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The fact that the Soviet Union had beaten the United States in the race to put a satellite into orbit was seen as evidence that American schools were failing to produce the kinds of skilled workers needed for the country's technological future.

Fear of Soviet Domination: The launch of Sputnik contributed to a widespread fear among Americans that the Soviet Union was surpassing the United States in terms of economic, technological, and military power. This led to concerns about the future of American democracy and the possibility that the Soviet Union would become the dominant global superpower.

Here is why Americans were afraid after the launch of Sputnik 2 with the sweet Street dog Laika aboard.

Concerns about Animal Cruelty: Many people were upset about the fact that Laika had been sent into space without any plan for her to return safely to Earth. It was later revealed that Laika had died within hours of the launch due to overheating caused by a malfunction in the spacecraft. This led to concerns about the welfare of animals used in space exploration and about the ethics of animal experimentation.

Fear of Human Casualties: The fact that the Soviet Union was able to launch a living creature into space raised concerns about the possibility of human casualties in future space missions. There were fears that the Soviet Union would attempt to send humans into space, and that this could lead to a space race in which human lives would be put at risk.

Technological Advances: The launch of Sputnik 2 also highlighted the Soviet Union's continued progress in space exploration and its technological capabilities. This raised concerns among Americans that the United States was falling behind in the space race and that the Soviet Union was gaining an advantage in terms of military, economic, and technological power.

Cold War Tensions: The launch of Sputnik 2 occurred during the height of the Cold War, and there were concerns that the Soviet Union's technological advances could be used for military purposes. There were fears that the Soviet Union could use space technology to gain an advantage in the arms race, and that this could lead to a nuclear war.

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David Hoffman filmmaker

[zombieapocalypse]

I like the last man's response, "the world has always been on the edge of catastrophe since its existence...", today its still nuclear annihilation and/or climate change. And yet, here we still are. Thanks David for a trip down memory lane.

[bonniekeough]

I was so removed from society growing up in the Ozarks I never even heard of the Cuban missile crisis until I was an adult.

[rickdaystar]

I remember Sputnik and the local evening news told us when it could be seen flying over one night. We saw it when my dad brought my brother and myself out into the night to see it. It seemed scary to us kids especially at that time of getting under our desks in school and the general fear of " the Bomb" We had a makeshift bomb shelter in our basement which made it even more real to us. Propaganda kept us in fear of the Soviet Union.

[patriciablue]

I love the fact that the last guy was just a regular man on the street that knew history enough to be critical.

[brianarbenz]

Because Sputnik was launched, the U.S. built more schools, passed the first federal aid to education, started the President's Physical Fitness Program, and issued a call for reading improvement initiatives that resulted in Dr. Seuss publishing "The Cat in the Hat." All thanks to a little beeping steel ball that posed no threat to us.
So thanks, Sputnik. You gave me my childhood!

[idiotwind]

Found it interesting that 1 said he didn't believe it happened. He more or less called it " fake news"
I also love those man on the street interviews in NY.
The streets & blgs in the background.
Black & white film.
Yeah...Good stuff

[beccacolinwhitman]

Love the content. You do a very good job at keeping the interest going throughout. I’ve learned more from you now than probably about 90 percent of the people I have met. Thank you loads. !

[kneelingcatholic]

👍 very sensible people back then!
I know David doesn't
like nostalgia, but I am saddened by today's situation. Whatever happened to thoughtful people like this?

[Xeirus]

Loooves seeing interviews like this from the 50's.
Always so interesting to see how people thought and acted about current events without the benefit of hindsight like we have.

I saw a similar video once where they interviewed people about smoking and people didn't believe the reports and said it was in gods hands. Crazy stuff!

Love the videos!

[unzarjones]

More concerned/disappointed than "terrified", with a little "oh well" mixed in.

[moniquemosley]

Mr. Hoffman, you are worth more than a crummy algorithm and in honor of that, I binged on your videos today. And I let the "damn things run." We value YOU, Sir. 🎯😊👍💯

[TheFartoholic]

Probably not a random selection of people but I'm still impressed by how cogent these responses are compared to what you'd get from a random pedestrian in 2023.

[brittybee]

Why is it the average man on the street back then sounds like they could be a radio announcer nowadays.

[customerguy]

Great upload as usual, David. This channel continues to rock, as expected.

[cherylcallahan]

David Hoffman Sputnik appreciate your videos Listening 🌼 From Mass USA TYVM 🇺🇸 David Blessings to all

[Rockstar]

It didn’t have to be this way. We were allies in the war. A handful of idiots making these awful decisions.

[ezekiel]

People were much calmer back then, although the possibility of the conflict was way higher. It seems that every reason for fear today is good enough.

[johnd]

very balanced, reasonable opinions all things considered. Not like today, that's for sure.

[Downecker]

I'm 74 and remember seeing Sputnik from my back yard with my family! It looked like a moving star ! Wow!😂😮

[PhilMoskowitz]

When I was in second grade elementary that's when they first started teaching kids "New Math". Even in 2nd grade they were teaching us concepts like set theory and matrices. They were grooming us to become computer programmers. All that was a response to Sputnik.