c) Expansion of science and mathematics curriculum

The Cold War significantly influenced American education in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly through the expansion of science and mathematics curriculum. This shift was largely a response to the Soviet Union’s launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1957, which created a sense of urgency in the United States about technological and scientific competitiveness. The National Defense Education Act of 1958 was passed to support education in science, math, and foreign languages, reflecting the Cold War’s impact on domestic policy and the emphasis on preparing students for a technologically advanced world.