During a time when Cold War politics were front and center, the U.S. struggled to settle domestic issues, one of which were racial tensions. The Civil Rights Movement was much of an afterthought for the U.S. government, until the events that ensued affected America’s international image. During the movement, a group of Northern idealists, known as the Freedom Riders, rode the buses into the South in order to challenge racial segregation. The violent stories of the Freedom Riders was broadcast around the world soon reaching out to Communist nations. These Communist nations were quick to see the propaganda value and opportunity of the violence accompanying Freedom Rides. The Kennedy Administration was now on the defensive as they worked alongside Civil Rights leaders and …show more content…
were often depicted as a result of capitalism, in Soviet propaganda. The Soviet Union capitalised on U.S. discrimination by designing posters. Posters were designed to attract African-Americans to the charms of communism. Posters, such as thesebrought the issue of US racism on the international stage. Soviet posters often suggested that black Americans were ill-treated, but those who came to Moscow would be treated equally. Which caused more and more African Americans to join the likes of Soviet capitalism/socialism. As Soviet propaganda that dwelt upon America’s lynching, racial segregation, and denial to blacks of the right to vote increased, the U.S. State Department counteracted. Goodwill tours by black entertainers were supposed to project an image of the United States as a democracy that honored cultural achievements of all races. Unfortunately, this strategy was flawed because America’s political leaders either lacked a deep commitment to racial equality, like Kennedy, or were themselves saturated with racists views. Which only made it easier for the Civil Rights Movement and the Soviets’ exploitation of it, to disrupt America’s efforts to defeat