History of protest music from 1865 until now
Thesis draft- From gospel music in the Reconstruction era to contemporary hip-hop songs, protest music in America has been a powerful tool for social and political resistance, reflecting the struggles of marginalized citizens, influencing the public and evolving with cultural and technological changes over time. By revisiting these big historical movements like labor rights, civil rights, anti war activism and modern social justice- this research paper will explore how protest music has both shaped and been shaped by American politics.
-Protest music was a way for American citizens to spread the word, have some control over and cope with injustice they were facing.
-When did protest music start, and why?
-What were the effects of protest music on overall society, artists and the government?
Sources used:
Meacham, J., & McGraw, T. (2019). Songs of America: patriotism, protest, and the music that made a nation. First edition. Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC.
Rydell, Katie, and Ally Bienvenu. “The Power of Protest Music: Exploring the Role of Songs in Social Change.” Black History Bulletin, vol. 84, no. 1, 2021, pp. 6–9. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5323/blachistbull.84.1.0006. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
““What’s Going On”: The Evolution of Protest Music.” Genadmission.org, 2024, www.genadmission.org/articles/whats-going-on-the-evolution-of-protest-music.
“Protest Music Part 1: 1774 - 1911.” First Amendment Museum, firstamendmentmuseum.org/exhibits/virtual-exhibits/history-of-protest-music/protest-music-1774-1911/.
Thesis draft- From gospel music in the Reconstruction era to contemporary hip-hop songs, protest music in America has been a powerful tool for social and political resistance, reflecting the struggles of marginalized citizens, influencing the public and evolving with cultural and technological changes over time. By revisiting these big historical movements like labor rights, civil rights, anti war activism and modern social justice- this research paper will explore how protest music has both shaped and been shaped by American politics.
-Protest music was a way for American citizens to spread the word, have some control over and cope with injustice they were facing.
-When did protest music start, and why?
-What were the effects of protest music on overall society, artists and the government?
Sources used:
Meacham, J., & McGraw, T. (2019). Songs of America: patriotism, protest, and the music that made a nation. First edition. Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC.
Rydell, Katie, and Ally Bienvenu. “The Power of Protest Music: Exploring the Role of Songs in Social Change.” Black History Bulletin, vol. 84, no. 1, 2021, pp. 6–9. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5323/blachistbull.84.1.0006. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
““What’s Going On”: The Evolution of Protest Music.” Genadmission.org, 2024, www.genadmission.org/articles/whats-going-on-the-evolution-of-protest-music.
“Protest Music Part 1: 1774 - 1911.” First Amendment Museum, firstamendmentmuseum.org/exhibits/virtual-exhibits/history-of-protest-music/protest-music-1774-1911/.