1960s Counterculture Research Paper

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The 1960s Counterculture refers to the period where the norms of traditional America and previous generations were rejected by the youth of the baby boom. I believe the Counterculture serves as a turning point for America because it was this movement that put a gap between old traditions of previous generations and brought about new ideas and ways of living for the youth.

The Counterculture youth, who claimed the title “Hippies,” rejected the cultural standards of their parents, especially when it came to racial segregation, the Vietnam War, sexual mores, women's rights, and materialism. They also rebelled against former lifestyles by their choice of clothing and fashion; this was especially true pertaining to young women. The slogan of the …show more content…

Wanting to rebel against parents and older traditions was one big reason, but there were many others as well. Another reason why the Counterculture started in the first place was because the baby boomers weren't babies anymore. They were young adults who wanted to voice their own opinions and make a difference in their country. Most of the youths who joined the Counterculture movement wanted to protest against the discrimination women and blacks faced. They also were highly in opposition of U.S involvement in the Vietnam war. These young people began to develop an anti-war and anti-authority attitude. They would participate in protests, music festivals, and anti-war marches. One of these movements became known as the “Free Speech Movement.” This movement spread among college and high school campuses everywhere throughout the United States. Young people wanted to be heard and counted, serving as a sharp contrast to how they used to be quiet and submissive in previous generations. At college sit-ins and protest rallies, students challenged faculty policies and demanded an end to curfews, dress codes, and strict dormitory visitation rules. In the summer of 1968, the angry Counterculture youths also protested at the Democratic National Convention. They were furious with the party's elders who supported Vice President Hubert Humphrey for nomination. Humphrey supported LBJ's Vietnam policy, and this was exactly what the youths did not want. The police and protesters clashed, and as many were beaten and arrested they chanted “The whole world is watching, the whole world is watching” as the whole catastrophe was being televised to millions of

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