North American counterculture
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| + | "After [[World War II]], the confluence of [[Military history of the United States during World War II|returning servicemen]], significant immigration, [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberalizing]] attitudes, along with the rise of the "[[hippie]]" [[counterculture of the 1960s|counterculture]], the [[Sexual Revolution]], the [[Peace movement]] growing from [[opposition to United States involvement in the Vietnam War]], and other factors led to the [[Summer of Love]] and the [[LGBT rights in the United States|gay rights]] movement, cementing [[San Francisco]] as a center of liberal activism in the United States. | ||
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| + | [[Beat Generation]] writers fueled the [[San Francisco Renaissance]] and centered on the [[North Beach, San Francisco|North Beach]] neighborhood in the 1950s. Hippies flocked to [[Haight-Ashbury]] and in the 1970s the city became a center of the [[gay rights]] movement with the emergence of [[Castro District, San Francisco|The Castro]] as an urban [[gay village]] and the election of [[Harvey Milk]] and [[George Moscone]]." --Sholem Stein | ||
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| {{Template}} | {{Template}} | ||
| - | The [[United States|North American]] [[counterculture]] of the [[1960s]] began in the as a reaction against the conservative [[social norms]] of the [[1950s]], the political conservatism (and perceived social repression) of the [[Cold War]] period, and the US government's extensive military intervention in [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]]. | + | The [[United States|North American]] [[Counterculture of the 1960s|counterculture of the 1960s]] began in the as a reaction against the conservative [[social norms]] of the [[1950s]], the political conservatism (and perceived social repression) of the [[Cold War]] period, and the US government's extensive military intervention in [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]]. |
| As the 1960s progressed, widespread tensions developed in American society that tended to flow along generational lines regarding the war in Vietnam, race relations, [[Sexual ethics|sexual mores]], [[women's rights]], traditional modes of [[authority]], experimentation with [[psychedelic drugs]] and a predominantly [[Economic materialism|materialist]] interpretation of the [[American dream]]. | As the 1960s progressed, widespread tensions developed in American society that tended to flow along generational lines regarding the war in Vietnam, race relations, [[Sexual ethics|sexual mores]], [[women's rights]], traditional modes of [[authority]], experimentation with [[psychedelic drugs]] and a predominantly [[Economic materialism|materialist]] interpretation of the [[American dream]]. | ||
| New cultural forms emerged, including the [[British Invasion|pop music of English]] band [[the Beatles]], which rapidly evolved to shape and reflect the youth culture's emphasis on change and experimentation. This was accelerated after 1964, when the Beatles were introduced to [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] in a [[New York]] hotel room by [[Bob Dylan]], another [[youth culture]] icon. | New cultural forms emerged, including the [[British Invasion|pop music of English]] band [[the Beatles]], which rapidly evolved to shape and reflect the youth culture's emphasis on change and experimentation. This was accelerated after 1964, when the Beatles were introduced to [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] in a [[New York]] hotel room by [[Bob Dylan]], another [[youth culture]] icon. | ||
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| - | Social anthropologist [[Jentri Anders]] (''Berkeley in the Sixties''[[Link title]], 1990) has observed that a number of freedoms were endorsed within a countercultural community which she lived in and studied: "freedom to explore one’s potential, freedom to create one’s Self, freedom of personal expression, freedom from scheduling, freedom from rigidly defined roles and hierarchical statuses…" Additionally, Anders believed these people wished to modify childrens' education so that it didn't discourage "aesthetic sense, love of nature, passion for music, desire for reflection, or strongly marked independence…" | ||
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| ==Civil Rights Movement== | ==Civil Rights Movement== | ||
| [[American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)]] | [[American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)]] | ||
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| ==Free Speech Movement== | ==Free Speech Movement== | ||
| - | [[Free Speech Movement]] | + | :''[[Free Speech Movement]]'' |
| - | In one view, the 1960s counterculture largely originated on college [[campus]]es. The 1964 Free Speech Movement at the [[University of California, Berkeley]], which had its roots in the [[Civil Rights Movement]] of the American South, was one early example. At Berkeley a socially privileged group of students began to identify themselves as having interests as a class that were at odds with the interests and practices of the University and its corporate sponsors. However, other rebellious young people who had never been college students also contributed to counterculture development. The [[beatnik]] café and bar scene was a tributary stream. | + | |
| ==New Left== | ==New Left== | ||
| - | [[New Left]] | + | :''[[New Left]]'' |
| - | ==Antiwar Movement== | + | ==Opposition to the Vietnam War== |
| - | [[Opposition to the Vietnam War]] | + | :''[[Opposition to the Vietnam War]]'' |
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| - | Opposition to the Vietnam War began in 1964 on United States college campuses. Student activism became a dominant theme among the baby boomers, growing to include many Americans. Exemptions and deferments for the middle and upper classes resulted in the induction of a disproportionate number of poor, working-class, and minority registrants. By 1967, a majority of Americans opposed the war. | + | |
| ==LSD and other Drugs== | ==LSD and other Drugs== | ||
| - | [[Ken Kesey]] and his [[Merry Pranksters]] helped shape the developing character of the 1960s counterculture when they embarked on a cross-country voyage during the summer of [[1964]] in a psychedelic school bus named "Furthur." Beginning in 1959, Kesey had volunteered as a research subject for medical trials financed by the CIA's ''[[Project MKULTRA|MK ULTRA]]'' project. These trials tested the effects of [[LSD]], [[psilocybin]], [[mescaline]], and other psychedelic drugs. After the medical trials, Kesey continued experimenting on his own, and involved many close friends; collectively they became known as "The Merry Pranksters." The Pranksters visited Harvard LSD proponent [[Timothy Leary]] at his [[Millbrook, New York|Millbrook]], New York retreat, and experimentation with [[LSD]] and other [[psychedelic]] drugs, primarily as a means for internal reflection and personal growth, became a constant during the Prankster trip. The Pranksters created a direct link between the 1950s [[Beat Generation]] and the 1960s psychedelic scene; the bus was driven by Beat icon [[Neal Cassady]], Beat poet [[Allen Ginsberg]] was onboard for a time, and they dropped in on Cassady's friend, Beat author [[Jack Kerouac]]--though Kerouac declined participation in the Prankster scene. After the Pranksters returned to California, they popularized the use of LSD at so-called "Acid Tests," which initially were held at Kesey's home in [[La Honda, California]], and then at many other West Coast venues. Experimentation with LSD and other psychedelic drugs became a major component of 1960s counterculture, influencing philosophy, [[Psychedelic art|art]], music and styles of dress. | + | :''[[Merry Pranksters]] and [[Timothy Leary]]'' |
| ==Black Power Movement== | ==Black Power Movement== | ||
| - | [[Black Power]] | ||
| + | :''[[Black Power]], [[Black pride]]'' | ||
| + | '''Black Power''' was a political movement among persons of [[African descent]] throughout the world, though it is often associated primarily with [[African Americans]] in the [[United States]]. Most prominent in the late [[1960s]] and early [[1970s]], the movement emphasized racial pride and the creation of black political and cultural institutions to nurture and promote black collective interests, advance black values, and secure black autonomy. | ||
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| ==Sexual revolution== | ==Sexual revolution== | ||
| - | [[Sexual revolution]] | + | :''[[Sexual revolution in 1960s America]]'' |
| Beginning in San Francisco in the mid 1960s, a new culture of "[[free love]]" arose, with millions of young people embracing the hippie ethos and preaching the power of [[love]] and the beauty of [[sex]] as a natural part of ordinary life. By the start of the [[1970s]] it was acceptable for colleges to allow co-educational housing where male and female students mingled freely. This aspect of the counterculture continues to impact modern society. | Beginning in San Francisco in the mid 1960s, a new culture of "[[free love]]" arose, with millions of young people embracing the hippie ethos and preaching the power of [[love]] and the beauty of [[sex]] as a natural part of ordinary life. By the start of the [[1970s]] it was acceptable for colleges to allow co-educational housing where male and female students mingled freely. This aspect of the counterculture continues to impact modern society. | ||
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| - | ==In Europe== | ||
| - | [[European counterculture]] | ||
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| - | ==In Mexico== | ||
| - | [[La Onda Chicana]] | ||
| ==Feminism== | ==Feminism== | ||
| - | [[Second-wave feminism]] | + | :''[[Second-wave feminism]]'' |
| The role of women as full-time homemakers in industrial society was challenged in 1963, when American feminist [[Betty Friedan]] published ''[[The Feminine Mystique]]'', giving momentum to the women's movement and influencing the second wave of feminism. | The role of women as full-time homemakers in industrial society was challenged in 1963, when American feminist [[Betty Friedan]] published ''[[The Feminine Mystique]]'', giving momentum to the women's movement and influencing the second wave of feminism. | ||
| ==Alternative media== | ==Alternative media== | ||
| - | [[Alternative media]] | + | :''[[Alternative media]] |
| [[Underground newspapers]] sprang up in most cities and college towns, serving to define and communicate the range of phenomena that defined the counterculture: radical political opposition to "[[The Establishment]]," colorful experimental (and often explicitly drug-influenced) approaches to art, music and cinema, and uninhibited indulgence in sex and drugs as a symbol of freedom. | [[Underground newspapers]] sprang up in most cities and college towns, serving to define and communicate the range of phenomena that defined the counterculture: radical political opposition to "[[The Establishment]]," colorful experimental (and often explicitly drug-influenced) approaches to art, music and cinema, and uninhibited indulgence in sex and drugs as a symbol of freedom. | ||
| ==Music== | ==Music== | ||
| - | [[Music history of the United States (1960s and 70s)]] | + | :''[[Music of North American counterculture]] |
| - | During the early 1960s, [[United Kingdom|Britain]]'s new generation of blues rock gained popularity in its homeland and cult fame in the United States. Folk singers like [[Peter, Paul & Mary]] ("Puff the Magic Dragon") and [[Bob Dylan]] (''[[The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan]]'') influenced the British groups, and popular music became more closely aligned with the [[counterculture]]. | + | |
| - | An international sound developed that moved towards an electric, psychedelic version of rock. In 1962 (see [[1962 in music]]), [[The Beatles]] (''[[Please Please Me]]'') emerged from England and popularized British rock, while [[The Beach Boys]]' success brought harmony-laden surf music to the forefront of the American scene. With country and soul musicians unable to maintain their hipness, both faded from mass consciousness. | + | During the early 1960s, [[British Invasion|Britain's new generation of blues rock]] gained popularity in [[United Kingdom|its homeland]] and cult fame in the United States. Folk singers like [[Peter, Paul & Mary]] ("[[Puff the Magic Dragon]]") and [[Bob Dylan]] (''[[The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan]]'') influenced the British groups, and popular music became more closely aligned with the [[counterculture]]. |
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| - | The Beatles went on to become the most prominent commercial exponents of the "psychedelic revolution" (e.g., ''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]'') that occurred during the late 1960s, with few Americans able to challenge them--exceptions included [[The Mamas & the Papas]] ("California Dreaming") and [[Jimi Hendrix]] (''[[Are You Experienced? (album)|Are You Experienced?]]''). The most hard-edged psychedelic American bands, like the [[Jefferson Airplane]] (''[[Surrealistic Pillow]]'') and [[The Grateful Dead]] (''[[Anthem of the Sun]]''), achieved limited commercial success. As the first [[jam band]], The Grateful Dead might also be considered the first [[cult]] act. Popular music underwent a sea of change, and [[psychedelic rock]] came to dominate the music scene for both black and white audiences. | + | |
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| - | As the psychedelic revolution progressed, lyrics grew more complex and long playing albums enabled artists to make more in-depth statements than could be made in a single song. Even rules governing single songs were stretched--singles lasting longer than three minutes emerged for the first time ([[Bob Dylan]]'s "[[Like a Rolling Stone]]" was the first of these). | + | |
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| - | Though not unheard of before the 1960s, the idea that popular music could and should lead social change came into its own during this period. Most existing musical styles were influenced, and new musical genres came into being, including heavy metal, punk rock, electronic music and hip hop. | + | |
| ==Environmentalism== | ==Environmentalism== | ||
| - | [[Environmentalism]] | + | :''[[Environmentalism]] |
| Counterculture environmentalists were quick to grasp the early (i.e., 1970s) analyses of the reality and the import of the Hubbert "[[peak oil]]" prediction. More broadly they saw that the dilemmas of energy derivation would have implications for geo-politics, lifestyle, environment, and other dimensions of modern life. | Counterculture environmentalists were quick to grasp the early (i.e., 1970s) analyses of the reality and the import of the Hubbert "[[peak oil]]" prediction. More broadly they saw that the dilemmas of energy derivation would have implications for geo-politics, lifestyle, environment, and other dimensions of modern life. | ||
| - | ==Technology== | + | ==Technology and the rise of NGOs== |
| - | In his 1986 essay ''From Satori to Silicon Valley'', cultural historian [[Theodore Roszak (scholar)|Theodore Roszak]] pointed out that [[Apple Computer]] emerged from within the West Coast counterculture. Roszak outlines the Apple computer's development, and the evolution of 'the two Steves' ([[Steve Wozniak]] and [[Steve Jobs]], the Apple's developers) into businessmen. Like them, many early computing and networking pioneers – after discovering [[LSD]] and roaming the campuses of UC Berkeley, Stanford, and MIT in the late 60s and early 70s – would emerge from this caste of social "misfits" to shape the modern world. | + | In his 1986 essay ''[[From Satori to Silicon Valley]]'', cultural historian [[Theodore Roszak (scholar)|Theodore Roszak]] pointed out that [[Apple Computer]] emerged from within the West Coast counterculture. |
| The counterculture had representatives in the sciences, the trades, business, and law. Many counterculture participants were stable, dedicated, and persistent. Much was done in the area of the human interface with the natural environment (in connection with science, technologies, community planning, parks, and other spheres). While ''ad hoc'' action groups sprang up frequently, usually fading away just as quickly, some established themselves as ongoing [[non-governmental organization]]s (NGOs) dedicated to working toward particular goals. The counterculture gave rise to many lasting NGOs. | The counterculture had representatives in the sciences, the trades, business, and law. Many counterculture participants were stable, dedicated, and persistent. Much was done in the area of the human interface with the natural environment (in connection with science, technologies, community planning, parks, and other spheres). While ''ad hoc'' action groups sprang up frequently, usually fading away just as quickly, some established themselves as ongoing [[non-governmental organization]]s (NGOs) dedicated to working toward particular goals. The counterculture gave rise to many lasting NGOs. | ||
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| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Weather Underground]] | ||
| + | * [[San Francisco Renaissance]] | ||
| * [[Up Against the Wall Motherfuckers]] | * [[Up Against the Wall Motherfuckers]] | ||
| *[[Counterculture of the 1960s]] | *[[Counterculture of the 1960s]] | ||
| *[[Hippies]] | *[[Hippies]] | ||
| + | *[[European counterculture]] | ||
| + | *[[La Onda Chicana]] in Mexico | ||
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| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
Current revision
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"After World War II, the confluence of returning servicemen, significant immigration, liberalizing attitudes, along with the rise of the "hippie" counterculture, the Sexual Revolution, the Peace movement growing from opposition to United States involvement in the Vietnam War, and other factors led to the Summer of Love and the gay rights movement, cementing San Francisco as a center of liberal activism in the United States. Beat Generation writers fueled the San Francisco Renaissance and centered on the North Beach neighborhood in the 1950s. Hippies flocked to Haight-Ashbury and in the 1970s the city became a center of the gay rights movement with the emergence of The Castro as an urban gay village and the election of Harvey Milk and George Moscone." --Sholem Stein |
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The North American counterculture of the 1960s began in the as a reaction against the conservative social norms of the 1950s, the political conservatism (and perceived social repression) of the Cold War period, and the US government's extensive military intervention in Vietnam.
As the 1960s progressed, widespread tensions developed in American society that tended to flow along generational lines regarding the war in Vietnam, race relations, sexual mores, women's rights, traditional modes of authority, experimentation with psychedelic drugs and a predominantly materialist interpretation of the American dream.
New cultural forms emerged, including the pop music of English band the Beatles, which rapidly evolved to shape and reflect the youth culture's emphasis on change and experimentation. This was accelerated after 1964, when the Beatles were introduced to cannabis in a New York hotel room by Bob Dylan, another youth culture icon.
Civil Rights Movement
American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)
British Invasion
Free Speech Movement
New Left
Opposition to the Vietnam War
LSD and other Drugs
Black Power Movement
Black Power was a political movement among persons of African descent throughout the world, though it is often associated primarily with African Americans in the United States. Most prominent in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the movement emphasized racial pride and the creation of black political and cultural institutions to nurture and promote black collective interests, advance black values, and secure black autonomy.
Hippies
Sexual revolution
Beginning in San Francisco in the mid 1960s, a new culture of "free love" arose, with millions of young people embracing the hippie ethos and preaching the power of love and the beauty of sex as a natural part of ordinary life. By the start of the 1970s it was acceptable for colleges to allow co-educational housing where male and female students mingled freely. This aspect of the counterculture continues to impact modern society.
Feminism
The role of women as full-time homemakers in industrial society was challenged in 1963, when American feminist Betty Friedan published The Feminine Mystique, giving momentum to the women's movement and influencing the second wave of feminism.
Alternative media
Underground newspapers sprang up in most cities and college towns, serving to define and communicate the range of phenomena that defined the counterculture: radical political opposition to "The Establishment," colorful experimental (and often explicitly drug-influenced) approaches to art, music and cinema, and uninhibited indulgence in sex and drugs as a symbol of freedom.
Music
During the early 1960s, Britain's new generation of blues rock gained popularity in its homeland and cult fame in the United States. Folk singers like Peter, Paul & Mary ("Puff the Magic Dragon") and Bob Dylan (The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan) influenced the British groups, and popular music became more closely aligned with the counterculture.
Environmentalism
Counterculture environmentalists were quick to grasp the early (i.e., 1970s) analyses of the reality and the import of the Hubbert "peak oil" prediction. More broadly they saw that the dilemmas of energy derivation would have implications for geo-politics, lifestyle, environment, and other dimensions of modern life.
Technology and the rise of NGOs
In his 1986 essay From Satori to Silicon Valley, cultural historian Theodore Roszak pointed out that Apple Computer emerged from within the West Coast counterculture.
The counterculture had representatives in the sciences, the trades, business, and law. Many counterculture participants were stable, dedicated, and persistent. Much was done in the area of the human interface with the natural environment (in connection with science, technologies, community planning, parks, and other spheres). While ad hoc action groups sprang up frequently, usually fading away just as quickly, some established themselves as ongoing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dedicated to working toward particular goals. The counterculture gave rise to many lasting NGOs.
Legacy
The legacy of the 1960s Counterculture is still actively contested in debates that are sometimes framed, in the U.S., in terms of a "culture war." Jay Walljasper, a commentator and the editor of Utne Reader — though not himself from the so-called '60s Generation, and having grown up in American-Heartland farming country — has written, "From the great gyrations of the counterculture would come a movement dedicated to the greening of America. While many once-ardent advocates of radical ideas now live in the suburbs and vote Republican, others have held fast to the dream of creating a new kind of American society and they've been joined by fresh streams of younger idealists."
See also
- Weather Underground
- San Francisco Renaissance
- Up Against the Wall Motherfuckers
- Counterculture of the 1960s
- Hippies
- European counterculture
- La Onda Chicana in Mexico
