The political context of the moon program was as announced by Kennedy in 1961: it was a difficult and expensive mission, and more importantly, one which the Soviets were unable to achieve quickly. The Soviets at that time were ahead in the space race and likely to beat the Americans to the next few major goals, as indeed they did.
Through the Sixties, the Americans closed the gap and overtook the Russians, who finally found themselves behind when they were unable to develop the heavy boosters necessary for manned lunar flight. Each side carefully promoted their successes along the way.
If the moon landings had been faked in any way, the Russians, who could track objects in space with radar, and analyse the radio transmissions as well as the Americans, would have exposed the hoax.
On that point, if a hoax were possible, the Russians would have tried it themselves; they were in the game right till the end. Even if they couldn't get men to and from the moon, they were trying for a lunar material recovery.
I've seen the US space centres. Especially Kennedy, with the massive infrastructure there. Not to mention the millions who watched each Saturn V liftoff.
It was a hugely expensive undertaking. No nation would bother to spend such vast amounts on something that could so easily be proven false.
As noted before, the evidence is clearly visible on the moon to this day. The equipment, the footprints, the rover tracks.
But then again, anybody who thinks the thing was a hoax, has informed themselves, and still retains their opinion, is not going to be convinced by facts or logic.
I'mso grateful for that absolution. And for the condescension of your assumption that I can't think for myself. 
