Why was the votstok 1 lanched into space?

Vostok 1 was launched into space on April 12, 1961, to achieve a significant milestone in the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States. This mission marked the first time a human, Yuri Gagarin, orbited the Earth, demonstrating the Soviet Union's advancements in space technology and its capability for human spaceflight. The successful mission aimed to showcase Soviet scientific prowess and bolster national pride during the Cold War.