So if they were allies, what is the motive for the competition and the "Get to the Moon at all Costs". If the only two countries that had the capability to design and build (potential) rockets that could go to the moon, and they were secretly allied, why could they not have just kept having "accidents" on the launch pads with rockets begin blown up until public demand forced them to stop.
If they had never realized a space program or ICBM's they would have never become the untouchable powers they are today. America wouldn't be able to bully around other countries if it weren't for their its military superiority and threat of instant total annihilation.
So spending billions of dollars on actual weapons and training is less preferable to making up a lie for defence of a nation.
You know, all it would have taken is for some small group (not even an actual country) to attack one of these nations and the whole conspiracy would have gone up in smoke.
Why, why, why would they do something so stupid as that? The existence of their country, the lives of the people, not to mention their own lives are thrown in there if they perpetrate this lie, and all it would take is some insane person to actually challenge them and it would be all over. If the country is invaded, then all the money they have will become worthless. If the country descends into civil war any money they have is worthless. If they are killed any money they have is worthless (to them).
The risks far exceed the rewards. So I ask again: Why would they perpetrate this lie when it would be so much easier and safer to make money legitimately and that you could make more money legitimately.
As an example:
I offer you two choices
1) You can make 10 billion dollars, but there is a high chance you will be killed, or all you money will be taken away
or
2) You can make 20 billion dollars without the risk of being killed or the money being taken away.
Now, which option would you choose? Now answer me this: Why would someone choose the first one (because that would be the answer as to why they would perpetuate the conspiracy)?