Social Role of the Tradition of Protest Song Tradition of Popular Music mid-20th century in the United States

Introduction. The article considers the integrating social role of the tradition of protest songs in the period 1950–1970 on the example of the United States of America. This period was characterized by a series of military conflicts against the background of geopolitical confrontation between the U...

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Main Author: M. P. Zamotin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University 2024-09-01
Series:Дискурс
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Online Access:https://discourse.elpub.ru/jour/article/view/709
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author M. P. Zamotin
author_facet M. P. Zamotin
author_sort M. P. Zamotin
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. The article considers the integrating social role of the tradition of protest songs in the period 1950–1970 on the example of the United States of America. This period was characterized by a series of military conflicts against the background of geopolitical confrontation between the USSR and the USA, which was reflected in creative and sociocultural movements for peace and contributed to social and political changes in the USA. Protest music not only contributed to a positive influence on political decision-making, but also became a powerful means of expressing public opinion and feelings.Methodology and sources. The methodology and theory is based on comparative historical analysis of socio-cultural, political and historical events and facts related to the period covered. The material for the study was also made up of biographies, descriptions of events by eyewitnesses and documents of secondary analysis, telling about the social and musical impact of the phenomenon of protest songs of folk music and rock'n'roll counterculture on American society, as a reaction to the political decisions of the U.S. government to create hotbeds of military conflicts in the world.Results and discussion. The period from the late 1940s to the 1950s in the United States was marked by an acute confrontation between communism and capitalism, which was reflected in the culture and music of the time. The emergence and proliferation of protest songs, as well as other forms in the arts, occurs because of important crisis events on a global scale, or when people begin to see these events as such. Because of the impact the conflict between the two superpowers and their allies had on the world, people began to react to it in their own way. Music reacted to the events instantly and vividly. Although most protest songs were not a national success and their message was mostly appreciated by radicals, the songs united people and helped them express their discontent with what was happening.Conclusion. Folk and rock music became an integral part of life during the Cold War within the United States. Musicians and poets protested against the administration's policies, against unnecessary military conflicts, and warned against the possible destruction of the world. As a result, these genres became a powerful means of expressing public feelings, opinions, and influenced the formation of public consciousness right up to our time.
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spelling doaj-art-3b37f48519074eeb8a13fac6f6eb343b2025-08-20T02:53:54ZengSaint Petersburg Electrotechnical UniversityДискурс2412-85622658-77772024-09-01104536310.32603/2412-8562-2024-10-4-53-63635Social Role of the Tradition of Protest Song Tradition of Popular Music mid-20th century in the United StatesM. P. Zamotin0Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical UniversityIntroduction. The article considers the integrating social role of the tradition of protest songs in the period 1950–1970 on the example of the United States of America. This period was characterized by a series of military conflicts against the background of geopolitical confrontation between the USSR and the USA, which was reflected in creative and sociocultural movements for peace and contributed to social and political changes in the USA. Protest music not only contributed to a positive influence on political decision-making, but also became a powerful means of expressing public opinion and feelings.Methodology and sources. The methodology and theory is based on comparative historical analysis of socio-cultural, political and historical events and facts related to the period covered. The material for the study was also made up of biographies, descriptions of events by eyewitnesses and documents of secondary analysis, telling about the social and musical impact of the phenomenon of protest songs of folk music and rock'n'roll counterculture on American society, as a reaction to the political decisions of the U.S. government to create hotbeds of military conflicts in the world.Results and discussion. The period from the late 1940s to the 1950s in the United States was marked by an acute confrontation between communism and capitalism, which was reflected in the culture and music of the time. The emergence and proliferation of protest songs, as well as other forms in the arts, occurs because of important crisis events on a global scale, or when people begin to see these events as such. Because of the impact the conflict between the two superpowers and their allies had on the world, people began to react to it in their own way. Music reacted to the events instantly and vividly. Although most protest songs were not a national success and their message was mostly appreciated by radicals, the songs united people and helped them express their discontent with what was happening.Conclusion. Folk and rock music became an integral part of life during the Cold War within the United States. Musicians and poets protested against the administration's policies, against unnecessary military conflicts, and warned against the possible destruction of the world. As a result, these genres became a powerful means of expressing public feelings, opinions, and influenced the formation of public consciousness right up to our time.https://discourse.elpub.ru/jour/article/view/709sociology of musicprotest songssociology of artpopular culturecounter-culturefolk musicsocial movementssocial groups
spellingShingle M. P. Zamotin
Social Role of the Tradition of Protest Song Tradition of Popular Music mid-20th century in the United States
Дискурс
sociology of music
protest songs
sociology of art
popular culture
counter-culture
folk music
social movements
social groups
title Social Role of the Tradition of Protest Song Tradition of Popular Music mid-20th century in the United States
title_full Social Role of the Tradition of Protest Song Tradition of Popular Music mid-20th century in the United States
title_fullStr Social Role of the Tradition of Protest Song Tradition of Popular Music mid-20th century in the United States
title_full_unstemmed Social Role of the Tradition of Protest Song Tradition of Popular Music mid-20th century in the United States
title_short Social Role of the Tradition of Protest Song Tradition of Popular Music mid-20th century in the United States
title_sort social role of the tradition of protest song tradition of popular music mid 20th century in the united states
topic sociology of music
protest songs
sociology of art
popular culture
counter-culture
folk music
social movements
social groups
url https://discourse.elpub.ru/jour/article/view/709
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