The Gaither Report was a pivotal document prepared by a committee established under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. In response to the escalating tensions of the Cold War and the shock of the Soviet Union's launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, the report outlined urgent recommendations for the U.S. government. It provided a thorough assessment of the military and technological landscape of the time, suggesting that the United States was lagging behind the Soviet Union in key areas of national defense and security. The report's authors posited that America needed to significantly enhance its missile arsenal to maintain military superiority and ensure the safety of its population.

One notable aspect of the Gaither Report was its call for the construction of fallout shelters. The committee suggested that federal financial assistance be provided to homeowners to install these shelters, as a means of civil defense. This recommendation reflected mounting public anxiety over the threat of nuclear war. As fears of an atomic confrontation grew, the report acted as a catalyst for national discourse on preparedness and defense strategies during a time marked by paranoia and uncertainty about the future.

The Gaither Report ultimately influenced U.S. defense policy throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s. It spurred an arms race between the superpowers and shaped public perception regarding the necessity of military readiness. The urgency expressed in the report resonated with existing sentiments within the government and military circles, advocating for an aggressive stance to counteract perceived threats from the Soviet Union, which would resonate through subsequent administrations.