How were domestic and international politics involved in the original decision to land a man on the Moon?

• This time period saw the landing of a man on the Moon as the culmination of an American space program lasting over two decades. How were domestic and international politics involved in the original decision to land a man on the Moon?
• How did this program affect the economy and the development of new technologies?
• Since the last manned mission to the Moon took place in 1972, what can we predict about the future of space travel?