The Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 shocked the United States. It highlighted a perceived gap in American science and technology education compared to the Soviet Union, fueling fears that the US was falling behind in the Cold War space race and potentially in military capabilities. This fear triggered a widespread sense of urgency to improve the nation's education system, particularly in science, mathematics, and foreign languages.
Therefore, the NDEA wasn't just about defense in the strictly military sense; it was about bolstering the nation's overall scientific and technological capabilities, seen as crucial for national security and economic competitiveness in the face of Soviet advancements. The perceived threat to national security directly stemming from the Sputnik launch was the key catalyst for the act's passage.