Introduction

Political Events

Scientific-Technical Developments

Military Developments

Economic Changes and Conditions

Social Conditions and Developments

Books, Movies, Art and the Media

INTRODUCTION:

The year is 1967, a time of Cold War between the two Superpowers. The State of the Union in the United States is one of economic prosperity, social turmoil and war with North Vietnam. While the Soviet Union is in a transition period with its leadership & Eastern Europe, with five-year economic plans being scrapped and social censorship continuing. Upon reflection of this time the most significant accomplishment towards world peace was the signing of the Nuclear Weapons Treaty in outer space signed in Moscow, London and Washington D.C.

The United States primary concern in 1967 was the Vietnam War. Fierce attacks were taking place but to no avail. By the spring of '67 their was a stalemate, and in fact the North Vietnamese were able to increase their troops in the South to 120,000. Meanwhile back in the US, protests were growing stronger in opposition to the war. The New York Times Magazine Jan. 15th edition headlined with "Mr. President Stop the Bombing." The stalemate in Vietnam coupled with the protests convinced President Lyndon Johnson to pursue negotiations. Besides the war, the economy was booming but their was enormous social unrest. And Scientific progress was being measured by the failures of Apollo I.

The Soviet Union was in a transition period with the First Secretary of the Communist Party, Brezhnev and Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Kosygin heading the leadership. In Eastern Europe the Soviets were failing to control Hungary, Romania and Czechoslovakia from obtaining their autonomy. 1967 was the 15th Anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution and propaganda was being spread throughout the Soviet Union. Five-year economic plans had to be scrapped from 1966-1970 due to the lack of industrial progress. The Soviet Union was able to land the first space capsule on the planet Venus but the horrible crash of the Soyouz I spaceship overshadowed all other scientific accomplishments.