What event most clearly prompted the us government to pursue the space race
the successful launch of yuri gagarin into space by the soviet union
the soviet union’s surprising launch of sputnik into earth’s orbit
the promise by president kennedy to land a man on the moon
the us government’s increase in defense spending after world war ii
the sudden invasion of south korea by the north korean military

The Soviet Union’s surprising launch of Sputnik into Earth’s orbit

Explanation:

Sputnik 1, launched on October 4, 1957 by the Soviet Union, was the first artificial satellite in history. Sputnik 1 was the first of several satellites launched by the Soviet Union in its Sputnik program, most of them successful. Sputnik 2 followed, as the second satellite in orbit. The first failure was suffered by Sputnik 3.

richard milhous nixon (january 9, 1913 – april 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the united states, serving from 1969 to 1974, when he became the only president to resign (quit). he is also known for corruption and the watergate scandal which resulted in the public losing trust in him and his resignation.