In the 50s and 60s, why did the peace movement and protest songs become a part of folk music and not some other genre?
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Grandma Roses - my avatar is my real dog
ANSWERS: 4
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They wanted to convey messages in simple and accessible form. Songs are well suited for this purpose. Any predominantly instrumental musical genre (such as Jazz or Classical Music) would not have worked that well. Folk music has a tradition of catchy and simple songs which the Peace movement could easily attach to. It is telling that many protest singers moved on into Pop and Rock music during the 1960s (Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, etc).
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They were following in the tradition of folk music, because it was the music of the 'everyman'. People have been singing about their worries and woes for years. Music didn't used to be reserved for the talented. As Nick said, they wanted to convey their messages simply. Woody Guthrie was a true pioneer of the folk movement, because many used his songs and style to create their own sound.
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Because it smells like teen spirit
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While I agree that protest/peace songs were predominantly found in folk music, I have to point out that there were other genres that incorporated that message. Some examples that come to mind are Creedence Clearwater Revival, Marvin Gaye, Thunderclap Newman, Frank Zappa/Mothers, probably many others. But yeah, I agree with other answers here. Folk music has its roots in oral traditions and accessibility to the "common" people to spread messages and inspire solidarity through song. It's a carryover from troubadors of hundreds of years ago, when common people couldn't read or write, songs and stories were the way to convey information, news, as well as satire/criticism of the government.
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