Identify two reasons for the rise of the counterculture in the 1960s?

Answer 1

The heart of the 1960s Counterculture was not accepting the status quo, but rather, questioning authority figures and the political norm such as the federal government, in order to find greater truth and meaning in life. This questioning attitude spawned the Anti-Vietnam War protest movement, as well as dovetailed with the Civil Rights Movement. The political goal of the counterculture movement was respect for all life and peoples, not the power, dominance and subjugation of one nation over another, that had motivated previous generations. Following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi to protest the Vietnam War non-violently, many were nonetheless victims of police brutality as they took part in Peace marches against the War. Many were badly beaten by police at the Chicago National Convention. Other students died from National Guard bullets at Kent State University. The Culture's spiritual quest was for inner peace, through raised consciousness, and beyond that, unity with all peoples, and thus, global harmony. Smoking hemp was a vehicle toward this consciousness, as well as psychedelic drugs such as lysergic acid (LSD) and peyote. However, as time went on, many no longer felt a need for these drugs, having achieved a level of natural harmony with themselves and the world. The movie Woodstock provides a glimpse of the counterculture in the three-day love and music fest in NY State, the largest gathering ever in the US that brought almost a half-million together. Not one disruptive incident occurred.

Answer 2

Possibly the Vietnam War: Kennedy's assassination is rumored by some historians to be linked to the war; Senator Kennedy was linked to his brother's programs, he was assassinated. Martin Luther King mentioned Vietnam frequently in his speeches, he was assassinated. Riots, protests, arrests, down with "the system"-anti-government activities, J. Edgar Hoover and his FBI,...including "Watergate" were all linked to Vietnam...

Eliminate the Vietnam War...maybe the above history could be eliminated too.

*edit*

Yeah some of these things might have affected it, but it was mostly the fact that there was a baby boom after the second world war, and also after the second world war the economy grew massively which meant that come the 1960s there was A LOT of teenagers and they all had money. Because of the sheer amount of teenagers, they wanted to create their own presence and community, and they had the money to do such a thing. Obviously with capitalist America, the markets were more than happy to supply these needs, with shops selling clothes and music just for the teenagers.

Answer 3

In the 1960's, the United States became involved in the Vietnam war. Many Americans did not agree with the war, and the counter culture became one of war protests, music opposing war, and the flower child and hippie era.

Answer 4

The 1950s had the beat-niks; the 1960s had the hippies. The 1970s were transitional, the 1980s was the age of "disco", the 1990s was a "Gay & Womens & Civil Rights decade" (the USSR & South Africa and apartheid fell in the 1990s) combined with a "copy cat"/or "remake"/or "wannabe"/or "repeat" generation (which-ever term the reader wants to use)...which has carried over into the 21st century with repeat cars (Cameros, Mustangs, etc.), repeat television shows (like Game Shows), repeat commercials (like Mr. Clean with the ring in his ear), repeat movies like "Bewitched", "Kojack", "Wild West", "Hawaii 5-0", etc.

To an extent, history does repeat itself. In the US, the 1890s were called the "Gay Ninties" (Gay meaning Happy). The 1920s were called the "Roaring Twenties." The 1930s were called the "Depression Years" and the 1940s were the war years (WWII).

Answer 5

Hippies and so called "flower children" made up the counter culture of the 1960's. They talked a lot, did little, and tried to convince [people they were for love and pace as they blew themselves away with marijuana, LSD and other illegal substances.Timothy Leary was their hero, President Johnson and anyone else who didn't agree with their drivel were the enemy. However, we did survive them.

Answer 6

Rising drug use and the boredom of pampered college students.

Answer 7

Military conscription, Women's Lib movement, and the Civil Rights movement. All three happened at once and caused a "who gives a sh-- attitude" in the American people.