Ep 1. Cold War Road Show

In American Experience season 27 episode 1, titled "Cold War Road Show," viewers are taken on a journey through the height of the Cold War in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The episode focuses on the role of the United States Information Agency (USIA) in promoting American culture and values to people throughout the world during this tense time in international relations.

Through archival footage, interviews, and firsthand accounts, viewers are introduced to a group of passionate and patriotic individuals who were tasked with traveling the world to showcase American films, music, and even cooking to audiences in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. These cultural ambassadors, known as the "Cold War Road Show," aimed to win over hearts and minds in countries that were perceived as being at risk of falling under communist influence.

At the center of the episode is a tour of the Soviet Union in 1958 by a group of American jazz musicians, led by legendary trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. The tour was the brainchild of President Eisenhower, who believed that jazz, which originated in the United States, could be used as a tool for cultural diplomacy. Despite initial skepticism from the Soviets and logistical challenges, the tour was a success and helped to break down some of the hostility between the two nations.

However, the episode also touches on the darker side of Cold War propaganda. The USIA was not above using questionable tactics in its efforts to promote American values. For example, the agency sponsored a traveling exhibit depicting the life of an American family, which was criticized for presenting a sanitized view of American life that ignored issues such as poverty and racial inequality.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to captivating footage of the Jazz Ambassador tour, which was filmed by the USIA and has rarely been seen by the public. Through interviews with surviving members of the tour group and other experts, viewers gain insight into the challenges they faced and the impact they had on Soviet audiences.

Overall, "Cold War Road Show" provides a fascinating look at a little-known chapter in American history and the role of cultural diplomacy in international relations. The episode offers a nuanced view of the USIA's efforts to promote American culture abroad, examining both its successes and its flaws. Through its focus on the Jazz Ambassador tour, the episode also captures the power of music to bridge cultural divides and bring people together.