Question why did NASA choose to land the 1, 2 &3 man capsules in the Ocean rather than on land?

Water is softer, though at such speeds, not MUCH softer than land. The Russians put down on land because they were VERY territorial during the Soviet period ['capitalists might try to steal secrets'], and didn't want to plop into intrernational waters, and as none was available in the USSR, they didn't really have a choice. Either way, it was very unpleasant/uncomfortable for astronauts and cosmonauts to come back to earth...