The Soviet Union's Downfall Was Because of Rock?
Did Rock and Roll and technological advances cause the USSR to fall?
During the 1950's and 1960's, the United States found its youth enthralled in either the beginning stages, or in the midst of its counterculture. The same can actually be said about our opponents on the other side of the globe as well. After the passing of Stalin in 1953, the USSR showcased his body and prepared for the heir to the throne. During Stalin's time as leader (dictator), he systematically killed off his people who disagreed with the communist party. Because of this, no one spoke out or they'd be executed. However, after his death and when Khrushchev took over, he started to break down some of Stalin's policies (some historians refer to this as de-Stalinization). This included: the breaking down of idolizing your politicians which will help people be more aware of the policies they're passing instead of allowing them to do what ever because they're a celebrity, and creating a societal transformation that would hopefully unite the youth and adults of the USSR (kids could and would sell out adults to the government by saying they promoted democracy to get rid of them). The USSR invited bands from Europe to come behind the "Iron Curtain" included Great Britain bands. Once there, the elders hated the electric guitars while the youth loved it. Sensing a rising tension with capitalist music sweeping across the youth, Khrushchev quickly outlawed the distribution of this music but it was too late. Technological advances allowed for the first forms of music piracy to take place. The records were out. Owning this music makes the state see you as a protester. For domestic USSR musicians, they joined this black market to sell their stuff.
The introduction of Western culture into USSR helped the youth to see that the Westerners aren't the terrible people they've been hearing about. The U.S quickly realized that an end to the cold war could actually be Rock and Roll. The U.S. who had part control of Germany put up radio stations that USSR radios would pick up and would play their music, thus making USSR's youth go even more crazy for it.
If you would like to continue reading about this since this is a basic overview of it, here is the citation I used throughout this post and a whole essay over this idea.
Matt Waeckerle
During the 1950's and 1960's, the United States found its youth enthralled in either the beginning stages, or in the midst of its counterculture. The same can actually be said about our opponents on the other side of the globe as well. After the passing of Stalin in 1953, the USSR showcased his body and prepared for the heir to the throne. During Stalin's time as leader (dictator), he systematically killed off his people who disagreed with the communist party. Because of this, no one spoke out or they'd be executed. However, after his death and when Khrushchev took over, he started to break down some of Stalin's policies (some historians refer to this as de-Stalinization). This included: the breaking down of idolizing your politicians which will help people be more aware of the policies they're passing instead of allowing them to do what ever because they're a celebrity, and creating a societal transformation that would hopefully unite the youth and adults of the USSR (kids could and would sell out adults to the government by saying they promoted democracy to get rid of them). The USSR invited bands from Europe to come behind the "Iron Curtain" included Great Britain bands. Once there, the elders hated the electric guitars while the youth loved it. Sensing a rising tension with capitalist music sweeping across the youth, Khrushchev quickly outlawed the distribution of this music but it was too late. Technological advances allowed for the first forms of music piracy to take place. The records were out. Owning this music makes the state see you as a protester. For domestic USSR musicians, they joined this black market to sell their stuff.
The introduction of Western culture into USSR helped the youth to see that the Westerners aren't the terrible people they've been hearing about. The U.S quickly realized that an end to the cold war could actually be Rock and Roll. The U.S. who had part control of Germany put up radio stations that USSR radios would pick up and would play their music, thus making USSR's youth go even more crazy for it.
If you would like to continue reading about this since this is a basic overview of it, here is the citation I used throughout this post and a whole essay over this idea.
Matt Waeckerle
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