Who Should Help the President?

© 2012, TESCCC U.S. Government, Unit: 05 Lesson: 03

Scenario One Reports stunned the world

that the Soviet Union had successfully launched the

world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik I, on

October 14, 1957.

• In July 1958, Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act (commonly called the "Space Act"), which created NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

• This executive agency has helped the U.S. become a leader in space exploration and travel, culminating the first man to step on the moon.

• On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 met President Kennedy’s challenge to have a man on the moon within the decade of the 60’s.

© 2012, TESCCC

Scenario TwoConcern began to grow in 1934 over an explosion of advancements in the area

of communication beginning with the

telephone and radio, and eventually to the television

and the Internet.

• The Communications Act of 1934 led to the creation of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate all non-governmental use of the radio spectrum.

• Today the agency is charged with providing rapid, efficient radio and wire communication services for all.

© 2012, TESCCC

Scenario ThreeEven though intelligence activities were carried out

by President Washington in the early years of our country, the need was

growing in post-World War II America.

• President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 to permanently create the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to direct the gathering and evaluating of intelligence needed to protect the United States.

• Today the agency answers to the president and senior policymakers on national security intelligence.

© 2012, TESCCC

Scenario Four

© 2012, TESCCC

In the 1970’s there was rising concern over

pollution in our air and waters. How to conserve

and protect our vital natural resources was becoming a national

problem.

• President Richard Nixon proposed creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from a number of smaller arms of different federal agencies.

• Today the EPA oversees protection of our air, water, & land and endangered species. It also regulates the disposal of hazardous wastes.