American tourists expected few chances to meet Soviet people. You’d only see what Soviet officials wanted to show you. Touring the USSR, many assumed, was nothing more than a front row seat at a big show. And real Soviet life was hidden under layers upon layers of propaganda. So, if you wanted to see the truth of Soviet life—avoid officials and seek out “regular people.” Teddy wanted to seek out “regular” Soviet people. And he had a few chances to visit people’s homes. What did Teddy discover about “regular Soviet life and people” as a result? And what did it say about the Soviet system as a lived experience?

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.

American tourists expected few chances to meet Soviet people. You’d only see what Soviet officials wanted to show you. Touring the USSR, many assumed, was nothing more than a front row seat at a big show. And real Soviet life was hidden under layers upon layers of propaganda. So, if you wanted to see the truth of Soviet life—avoid officials and seek out “regular people.” Teddy wanted to seek out “regular” Soviet people. And he had a few chances to visit people’s homes. What did Teddy discover about “regular Soviet life and people” as a result? And what did it say about the Soviet system as a lived experience?

Sources

Credits

Music:

“Levin and Harper,” “Tarte Tatin,” “Two in the Back,” “The Crisper,” “We Collect Shiny Things,” and “Hardboil” by Blue Dot Sessions.

“Go Time” by Eliot Holmes.