The Counter Culture of the 1960's

1117 Words3 Pages

The 1950‘s was a time noted for its high expectations and widespread conformity. The children growing up in the 1950’s were from the baby boomer generation. By the 1960’s some of these children began to migrate away from the ways of their upbringings. These children called themselves the Hippies. Even though the Hippie kids had grown up in the richest economy America had ever seen, they sought an alternative lifestyle to the one their parents led. This trend spread and eventually progressed into a nationwide movement, popularly known as the Hippie Movement. The Movement created its own entirely new sub culture that enthralled the nation. The Hippie Movement of the 1960’s transformed people’s perspectives on cultural matters, moral values, and created a new unique genre of fine arts. The Hippies were driven by many motivations both socially and politically. They wanted a peaceful and tolerant country with equal civil and social rights for everyone. Socially their motivations were for tolerance, anti material, and love. The birth of the movement was when the Hippies started to question the conformist materialistic system they were raised on in the 1950’s. This social crusade is accurately described by Jefferson Airplane’s song, Volunteers: “One generation got old. One generation got soul. This generation got no destination to hold... Hey now it’s time for you and me. Got to revolution” (Jefferson Airplane). People started a “revolution” against the conformist ideals and pushed for a more tolerant and free minded society. The Hippies created a motto for the migration away from the oppressive society, “Turn on, Tune in, Drop out” (Timothy Leary). They wanted people to “tune in” to their movement and drop out of the society. Mo... ... middle of paper ... ...ansformed people’s perspectives on cultural matters, moral values, and created a whole new genre of fine arts. Today Hippie culture is still scene particularly music and fashion. The Hippies successfully loosened the strict sexual, religious, and cultural values from the 1950’s. People gained open minds. The movement also left lasting negative effects like the overzealous rebellious attitudes, mindlessness, and anti establishment. Works Cited http://www.mortaljourney.com/2011/03/1960-trends/hippie-counter-culture-movement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJABGpyoJ20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZB7Mbhstqo https://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/2077/34205/1/gupea_2077_34205_1.pdf http://www.florian-kunkel.de/fa.pdf http://legacy-hippie-movement.e-monsite.com/blog/ http://oldhippie.jimgreenlee.com/hiphistory.html http://1960s-counterculture.tripod.com/id1.html

Sixties: Years That Shaped A Generation Summary
526 Words | 2 Pages
There were various groups dedicated to reform, each with their own agenda, that were developing simultaneously. The Hippy movement was comprised mostly of young privileged Anglo-Americans. Their agenda was generally centered on political and social reforms. Concurrently, women of all nationalities and ages were liberating themselves from the limitations of stereotypical gender roles, which society had enforced on them. Similarly, Spanish and African Americans were also locked in a battle to destroy limitations imposed upon them by society based on their race. There was even an air of political revolution trickling down from the government. Robert Kennedy, Senator, U.S. Attorney General, and Democratic Presidential candidate became a national symbol for American Liberalism, giving hope to millions that their reformist efforts would have a lasting impact on American
Read More
The Impact of the Hippie on American Society
2364 Words | 5 Pages
American society and culture experienced an awakening during the 1960s as a result of the diverse civil rights, economic, and political issues it was faced with. At the center of this revolution was the American hippie, the most peculiar and highly influential figure of the time period. Hippies were vital to the American counterculture, fueling a movement to expand awareness and stretch accepted values. The hippies’ solutions to the problems of institutionalized American society were to either participate in mass protests with their alternative lifestyles and radical beliefs or drop out of society completely. The government and the older generations could not understand their way of life.
Read More
The American Culture of the 1950s
1884 Words | 4 Pages
As World War Two came to a close, a new American culture was developing all across the United States. Families were moving away from crowded cities into spacious suburban towns to help create a better life for them during and after the baby boom of the post-war era. Teenagers were starting to become independent by listing to their own music and not wearing the same style of clothing as their parents. Aside from the progress of society that was made during this time period, many people still did not discuss controversial issues such as divorce and sexual relations between young people. While many historians regard the 1950s as a time of true conservatism at its finest, it could really be considered a time of true progression in the American way of life.
Read More
The Hippie Movement
1056 Words | 3 Pages
Zeinab Atwa Senior English/ Pd. 3 Ms. Ruiz Dec. 5/ 2017. History of the hippie movement The movement that began during the counterculture era in the 1960s, also known as the youth movement, rebelled against the conformity of American life. The main goal the hippie movement was trying to accomplish was being able to change views and ideas politically, socially, and culturally. However, they mainly aimed at changing cultural and everyday values.
Read More
Counterculture During the Vietnam Era
1093 Words | 3 Pages
The largest anti-war demonstration in history was held when 25,000 people marched from the Capitol to the Washington Monument, once again, showing the unity of youth. More than any other countercultural group, hippies reflected a deep discontent with technocracy- society’s reliance on scientific experts who ruled coldly and dispassionately and who wielded enormous power. Hippies said good-bye to that and hello to the mystical spirit, oneness with the universe- life as passion, passion as life, harmony, and understanding. The hippies believed they could develop their vision in the communes in which they congregated.... ...
Read More
The Counterculture
696 Words | 2 Pages
During the sixties Americans saw the rise of the counterculture. The counterculture, which was a group of movements focused on achieving personal and cultural liberation, was embraced by the decade’s young Americans. Because many Americans were members of the different movements in the counterculture, the counterculture influenced American society. As a result of the achievements the counterculture movements made, the United States in the 1960s became a more open, more tolerant, and freer country.
Read More
Conformity in the 1950s
408 Words | 1 Pages
During the post WWII period in America, the face of the nation changed greatly under the presidency of Truman and Eisenhower. America underwent another era of good feelings as they thought themselves undefeatable and superior over the rest of the world. Communism was the American enemy and American sought to rid the world of it. Because of the extreme paranoia caused by Communism, conformity became an ideal way to distinguish American Culture from the rest. Conformity became a part of every American Life to a large extent. It became evident through the medium of culture, society and politics throughout the era of the 50s.
Read More
How Woodstock Changed America
665 Words | 2 Pages
African Americans were still facing discrimination even though segregation was outlawed, gender roles was still presently enforced, nuclear testing was becoming a reality and their friends and family were dying in a war halfway around the world (Freccia). The youth of Woodstock was over it and they were ready for a revolution, so began the “hippie movement… who not only were opposed to the vietnam war but also were engaged in illegal drug use and enjoyed rock and roll music” (Tauber). Since their parents rules were not a concern anymore, many hippies at Woodstock went very open and bare as “lyrics from Dylan’s The Times are A-Changin” say “Come mothers and fathers/.../and don’t criticize what you can’t understand/ your sons and daughters are beyond your command” (Hopkins). What the hippies did at Woodstock; standing for peace, love and equality they went against their parents morals, while singing to The Beatles lyrics Give Peace a Chance. Woodstock changed Aamericans into what we are today “it was supposed to be anti materialist” completely different from their parent’s generation (Seckler). In present time America what our parents say and think have some value however they no longer hold us bounded to what we do with our lives. Marijuana is currently legal in some states and gay marriage are? is ruled legal throughout the
Read More
Summer Of Love: The Hippie Movement
984 Words | 2 Pages
During the summer of love, the diggers helped out and spread the trend of being a hippie. Hippies are always so recognizable then and now with their “long flowing hair, bright clothes, and flowy dresses.” (The Sixties Chronicles 2004) With their noticeable look the hippies believed strongly in individualism. Again shown with their clothes, but also something else. “...where the hippie cry, "Do your own thing!" served to incubate a new cornucopia of causes…” (Stein pg.1) There are all sorts of causes that they fought for then that we have now that is better than what it was before. Some of the causes they fought for were gay rights, the environment, women's liberation, saving the whales, saving the forests and so much more. It had a, “...widespread impact in fashion, art, in the use of illicit drugs…” (Ventre pg.1) They also helped out creating a counterculture movement. During the summer of love there was also bad things happening during this time, Vietnam war was going on. The Summer of Love was a backlash to the war. Most of the people there wanted progress and there were tons of anti-war protests. Although there were still some who resisted and didn’t care that thousands of people were being drafted into the war. “Some methods of change proved healthy, others were damaging, depending on which social observers are to be believed.” (Summer of Love That Changed Music and Culture 2007) While the hippies were out and trying to change the world, some did it while doing
Read More
The 1960’s: Decade of Disillusionment
982 Words | 2 Pages
The 1960’s and early 1970’s were a time that eternally changed the culture and humanity of America. It was a time widely known for peace and love when in reality; many minorities were struggling to gain a modicum of equality and freedom. It was a time, in which a younger generation rebelled against the conventional norms, questioning power and government, and insisting on more freedoms for minorities. In addition, an enormous movement began rising in opposition to the Vietnam War. It was a time of brutal altercations, with the civil rights movement and the youth culture demanding equality and the war in Vietnam put public loyalty to the test. Countless African-Americans, Native-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, women, and college students became frustrated, angry, and disillusioned by the turmoil around them.
Read More
Woodstock Counterculture
1602 Words | 4 Pages
Hippies, also known as the counterculture, were longhaired people who wore bright colors and held up peace signs. The counterculture came to be in the early 1960s. They lived mostly in hippie districts located in San Francisco, New York City, and Old Town Chicago. Gardens, head shops, and music
Read More
The Hippie Counterculture
2095 Words | 5 Pages
Unlike the society before this movement, the hippie did not try to change America through violence, the hippie tried to change things through peace and love. The Hippie Movement was a moment during the mid 1960s through the early 1070s where sex, drugs and Rock-n-Roll, was at the forefront of mainstream society. No one really knows the true definition of a Hippie, but a formal definition describes the hippie as one who does not conform to social standards, advocating a liberal attitude and lifestyle. Phoebe Thompson wrote, “Being a hippie is a choice of philosophy. Hippies are generally antithetical to structured hierarchies, such as church, government, and social castes. The ultimate goal of the hippie movement is peace, attainable only through love and toleration of the earth and each other. Finally, a hippie needs freedom, both physical freedom to experience life and mental freeness to remain open-minded” (Thompson12-13). Many questions are asked when trying to figure out how this movement reached so many of America’s youth, and what qualities defined a hippie as a hippie?
Read More
The Hippie Movement
1545 Words | 4 Pages
When people hear the term hippie, they think of men and woman in loose clothing with flowers weaved in their hair. Although these men and women did in fact wear these things, they left a significant impact on society. Hippies were a part of the Counterculture movement, which basic ideals were to reject the ideas of mainstream society. The movement itself began with the protesting of the Vietnam War. Eventually, the movement was more than just protesting the war. Hippies promoted the use of recreational drugs, religious tolerance; they also changed society’s views and attitudes about lifestyle and social behavior. The Counterculture movement was the most influential era in the 20th century because the people of this time changed society’s outlook, and broached the topics of drugs, fashion, and sexual freedom.
Read More
The Pros And Cons Of Hippies
1498 Words | 3 Pages
Surprisingly, over fifty percent of the Hippies were known to be teachers, despite their free-spirited life philosophy. The Hippies are the group of people who want to live differently from the conventional American lifestyle, to leave societal restrictions, and live with freedom. Hippies first emerged in 1960s and later attracted enormous masses of young American.
Read More
The Hippie Subculture
1428 Words | 3 Pages
...evolution was the change of thinking in society. They challenged the established authorities and conventions which resulted in transforming the lives of thousands. The hippies created an ongoing social movement and continue fighting for the freedom that “ordinary” people are afraid to question.
Read More

Open Document

Wait a second!

The Counter Culture of the 1960's

Sixties: Years That Shaped A Generation Summary

The Impact of the Hippie on American Society

The American Culture of the 1950s

The Hippie Movement

Counterculture During the Vietnam Era