"Walking on Eggs": the public dipolomacy of United States and the sudent protest in Spain, 1963-1969

Abstract

During Lyndon B. Johnson’s tenure as President of the United States, his ally the Spanish dictator faced serious student protests. These university upheavals coincided with a rise in anti-American feelings spurred by America’s support of the Franco’s regime. They also endangered U.S. plans for a moderate transition that would preserve Washington’s military privileges in Spain once the Dictator had passed away. Therefore, the students’ movement became a primary target for American public diplomacy, in order to improve the U.S. image among those youngsters who enjoyed political influence. This essay will focus on the cultural and informational programs the U.S. government undertook to attract the students’ leaders without jeopardizing its military cooperation with the local dictatorship.