1.+What+is+the+Counterculture?

The counterculture of the 1960s is a movement begun by the people who were discontent with the conventional culture of the time; the movement embraces anti-war sentiments and challenges the conservatively traditional values of the “Orthodox American society” through the introduction of sexual freedom, drugs, and pop culture.

During the 1960s, people were extremely discouraged for the loss of their people, which was due to the long Vietnam War.In order to express their will, millions of Americans gathered in the streets and on college campuses to protest and called for the withdraw of the army from Vietnam. At this point, countless Americans started to lose their trust in the government. In general, young people struggled with the issue of social injustice, civil rights, racism, gender, and consumerism. They fervently desired a change and saw hope in the rise of the counterculture movement. These young people favored pop music, new fashion, and freedom. The Woodstock Music and Art Festival pushes the movement toward its apex in 1969. The tremendous counterculture movement contains other major elements such as the the Civil Rights Movement, the Free Speech Movement,and the Anti-WAr Movement. The spirit of counterculture spread throughout North America, and also made its way to Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.