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The Space Contest. PSC783 Cold War Propaganda and Public Diplomacy, Part II Olga Zatepilina, Syracuse University. Space Contest. Although the United States had the broadest range of space projects, none could match the impact that the Soviet Union’s Sputnik made on the world’s public opinion
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The Space Contest PSC783 Cold War Propaganda and Public Diplomacy, Part II Olga Zatepilina, Syracuse University
Space Contest Although the United States had the broadest range of space projects, none could match the impact that the Soviet Union’s Sputnik made on the world’s public opinion (Dizard, 2004) PSC783 Cold War Propaganda
SpaceContest, cont’d • Sputnik’s beeper signals are “endlessly repeated” (Dizard, 2004)by Radio Moscow • The Soviets’ 1957 achievement curtails the success of the U.S. Space Exploration Exhibitions initiated in 1956 PSC783 Cold War Propaganda
The Soviet National Exhibition in New York City The American National Exhibition in Moscow PSC783 Cold War Propaganda
People-to-People • “Press coverage of People-to-People consistently described Americans who participated in the program as ‘diplomats’ and ‘ambassadors.’ They were spreading the truth about America, refuting enemy propaganda, and defending the United States against communist lies. They were making personal contributions to the cause of peace. ‘People are the best propaganda,’ proclaimed Current Events, a national student paper” (Osgood, 2006, pp. 239-240) PSC783 Cold War Propaganda
The Murrow Years • “Let’s find out what Ed thinks” (JFK in Dizard, 2004) • Recommends a propaganda campaign for peace as a response to the 1961 atmospheric nuclear testing by the Soviets • Wants to persuade, not just inform • Personally drafts responses to TASS statements Murrow's swearing in as USIA director PSC783 Cold War Propaganda
Space Contest,cont’d PSC783 Cold War Propaganda
USIA and the Cuban Missiles Crisis • Wilson on Ex Com • Round-the-clock VOA coverage for Cubans and Soviet-bloc listeners • Few short-wave radios in Cuba • WH agrees with AT&T to readjust transmitters • Footage supplied to hundreds TV stations overseas • Telstar for political reasons PSC783 Cold War Propaganda
Contest Over World’s Youth Initiated by USSR in 1947, World Youth Festivals take place in Vienna (1959) and Helsinki (1962) Murrow assigns “Youth Officers” to most USIS posts PSC783 Cold War Propaganda
USIA Publications • Amerika vs. Soviet Life • Topic, English and French, Africa • Dialogue, Portuguese and Russian • Problems of Communism • English Teaching Forum • Economic Impact (1973) PSC783 Cold War Propaganda
USIA’s Biggest Asset • 1962 Jackie’s solo visit to Asia in 1962 • 1963 “Ich bin ein Berliner” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld9A6ZYtI-A • 1966 USIA-produced “JFK: Years of Lightning, Day of Drums” commercially distributed in 62 countries PSC783 Cold War Propaganda