Jazz Diplomacy and Its Influence on the United States during the Cold War

Abstract

About the Jazz Diplomacy during the Cold War, related researches are relatively scarce in China. However, there already have some incisive research results. By searching history resources, mostly secondary resources, combining domestic and international researches, this article aims to show a clear picture about the role of Jazz Diplomacy and Its influence on the United States. during the Cold war. Jazz Diplomacy has had an impact on the dissemination of culture and ideology, the shaping of international image, and the domestic civil rights movement in the United States. It was a combination of politics and culture under the Cold War. From the positive perspective, Jazz Diplomacy spread American culture worldwide successfully, and by showing a picture of the harmonious relationship between black and white people, it partly helped the United States clarified its domestic racial problems and built a positive international image. Also, it publicized the idea of freedom and equality overseas. However, the real racial situation in the United States severely hit the fragile image established by the Jazz Diplomacy. This in fact gave the African Americans a chance to take use of accusations faced by the United States and conduct civil rights movements domestically.