What ideas led to the event of The Hippie Movement?

Answer 1

Hippies were mostly young people, often college students, who opposed the war in Vietnam and other foreign and domestic social policies of the United States. There was no formal organization; it simple arose from a rebellious youth culture and gained momentum from opposition to the draft. Rallies were intended to raise awareness of the Vietnam War, and to help end it.

Contrary to some people's belief, hippies were not organized by the Communist Party, nor were drugs and alcohol used to influence their behavior. The drug use was voluntary, and the moment arose spontaneously.

Answer 2

The Hippie Movement started in San Francisco, California and spread across most of the US during the late 60s and early 70s. Unlike the Beatniks, there were no real leaders of the Hippie Movement. The Beatniks were basically an intellectual movement that rejected the norms of society. The Hippies simply preferred an alternate lifestyle from the mainstream and had radical beliefs dealing with love, drug usage, war, and lifestyle. Hippies came from all different backgrounds but all were young and many came from wealthy families. Some rejected their parent’s lifestyle while others were simply outcasts of society and could only fit in with the Hippie population. Timothy Leary became the spokesman for the Hippies concerning drug usage. He favored the use of LSD and his famous admonition to the youth of America was “tune in, turn on, and drop out.” Bob Dylan became the major symbol and spokesman of Hippie culture as well as other singers, like Janis Joplin.

Answer 3

There were several complex social factors involved worthy of mention some of which had a common sociological origin and a few that come from obscure form of Idealism. For example:

• Dr. Benjamin Spock's book "Baby and Childcare" was published in 1946 and became a or the Mantra for the rearing of children. His influence went well beyond the English speaking world and mothers and mothers to be were apt pupils of his psycho-babble not spoiling the child with over attention and allowing them to seek instant gratification and reward. Hard core discipline was out and permissive was in.
• He became an anti-war and anti-Vietnam War propoment and his voice was listened to.
• The purity of the body politic was in question in part because of JFK and revelations about Ike's WWII mistress.
• The availability and variety of drugs available in a society where everyone's parent was a routine user of painkillers, sleep medication or simple Doctor Feel Good medications. Geratol was in. The trip was in. The upper was in and so the downer deserved equality. Dr. Timothy Francis Leary was in. Guru's were in, Zen was In. Meditation was in.
• The essential truths of the war in Vietnam began to be exposed. George Washington told the truth. Modern Presidents were liars and hypocrites.
• Body bags were shown on the 10 o'clock news.
• A good cigar was not just a good cigar.
• Women's rights were being openly discussed including sexual gratification.
• The hypocricy in the church between what is taught and preached and what is practiced in the real world began to be exposed.
• Feel Good was in and feel left out was bad.