Teddy Goes to the USSR explored American tourism, KGB surveillance, consumerism, race, and daily life through Teddy Roe’s trip to the USSR. And many of Teddy’s observations were inevitably informed by the Cold War and American tropes. So, what to make of Teddy’s journey and what it says about Soviet life? In this final episode, TGU host Sean Guillory and historian Leah Goldman highlight key moments in the series to tease out the contradictions, and reflect on America’s and the Soviet Union’s entangled relationship.

Episode Resources

Mikoyan Discovers The Super Market, 1959

Festival Of Fashion, 1967

Moscow Shoppers, 1966

The Kitchen Debate, 1959

Red Fair Opens in New York, 1959

A. Raikin, "Shortage"

"Shortage" (Rus)

Reagan Tells Soviet Jokes

Soviet Lada Car Ad

Nixon and Brezhnev

Nixon and Brezhnev car scene from The Final Days.

Teddy Goes to the USSR explored American tourism, KGB surveillance, consumerism, race, and daily life through Teddy Roe’s trip to the USSR. And many of Teddy’s observations were inevitably informed by the Cold War and American tropes. So, what to make of Teddy’s journey and what it says about Soviet life? In this final episode, TGU host Sean Guillory and historian Leah Goldman highlight key moments in the series to tease out the contradictions, and reflect on America’s and the Soviet Union’s entangled relationship.

Sources

Credits