The Anti-War Movement and The Hippie Movement

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Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote “The great man is he who in the mist of crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” Emerson is saying the only way to truly be oneself is to not care what others think. One should be able to walk in a crowd and know that he or she is not blended into the crowd. Many people do not like to stand out because they find comfort in conforming to society. This consensus is reminiscent of the 1950s where conformity was everything. However, a revolution of social and political change known as counterculture arose and challenge era’s values. The counterculture movement was tremendously pervasive in spreading its values opposing and subsequently reversing the mainstream norms of the 1950s through the New Left, the anti-war movement, and the Hippie movement.
In order to fully realize the accomplishments and magnitude of the counterculture movement, on must first understand the era preceding it: the 1950s. This was a time of extreme conservatism and conformity based upon the overwhelming consensus. The 1950 values of anti-communism, conservatism, conformity, and consensus took root in the 1940s as American began to reject the liberalism of the 1930s. World War II brought about the change from the 1930s to the 1940s. After the war concluded American society started to morph completely. The era of the 30s was know for its extreme liberalism in all aspects of nation; it penetrated American politics, economics, and culture. However after WWII, this widespread liberalism was flipped on its head, and in the 50s, it was completely replaced by radical conservatism due to the excessive anti-communistic sentiment of America. This lead to the formation of a national consensus, which set forth what w...

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...es helped provide food, water, drug assistance, and medical assistance. In conclusion, Woodstock proved that the values of the Hippie movement could successfully reverse those of the consensus.
Ultimately, the counterculture movement spread its values opposing the mainstream norms of the 1950s through the New Left, the anti-war movement, and the Hippie movement. All these movements urged people to not conform and accept new ideas and different ways of life. Today, a sense of consensus still exists, and there are not enough people or groups willing to fight against the contemporary conformity. Everyone likes how it feels to fit in. However, copying others should be the last thing on one’s mind. Everyone should truly adhere to the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “To be yourself in a world that constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

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