THE RISE OF POLITICAL CONSERVATISM 1980 1992
THE ELECTION OF RONALD REAGAN IN 1980
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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The Challenger space shuttle exploded, killing seven astronauts.
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Construction of the Challenger space shuttle was completed.
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The Challenger satellite was launched.
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People questioned the need for continued space exploration.
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Detailed explanation-1: -The cause of the disaster was the failure of the primary and secondary redundant O-ring seals in a joint in the shuttle’s right solid rocket booster (SRB). The record-low temperatures of the launch had stiffened the rubber O-rings, reducing their ability to seal the joints.
Detailed explanation-2: -“Reagan positions the tragedy within a larger picture without losing the significance of the present tragedy.” He names each crew member and praises them for their courage. To further manage our emotions, Reagan again calls us to national mourning, and establishes the primary audience as the collective mourners.
Detailed explanation-3: -It’s a speech about death, and Reagan is responding to the heightened emotions of a country in crisis. There is no way around acknowledging seven people lost their lives, so Reagan discusses it frankly and calmly.
Detailed explanation-4: -A NASA investigation later revealed a rubber “O-ring” seal on one of Challenger’s solid rocket boosters had failed because it was exposed to unusually low temperatures while the space shuttle sat on the launchpad. It caused a leak of highly explosive gases, which ultimately led to the catastrophic explosion.
Detailed explanation-5: -That night, President Ronald Reagan was slated to give his State of the Union address. Instead, he and his White House team quickly shifted gears, and that evening, from the Oval Office, he gave a short, nationally televised, 648-word speech about the tragedy.