After being forced to live conservatively in the 1940s and 1950s, American youth in the 1960s rebelled against social and political norms. They listened to rock music, wore casual clothes, experimented with drugs like LSD and marijuana, and protested against the Vietnam War and establishment values through large demonstrations. This counterculture movement sought anti-conformity and represented a significant shift in American values and politics led by a newly vocal younger generation.

1. After being forced to live a
conservative lifestyle in the 1940's &
1950's, the youth of America wanted a
change.

2.  The suppression of 70 million people led to a new and
radical way of thinking that changed U.S. history forever.
 People began listening to a new kind of music, rock & roll.
 The style of dress changed from long dresses and short hair, to
short skirts, and long, straight hair.
 The youth of the era lived with the mentality, "live and let live."
 They often protested war, and colleges became centers for debates
on issues and even for sit-ins.
 Drugs such as marijuana and LSD became popular.
 Even the media influenced the era.
 Authors such as Tom Wolfe, Rachel Carson, and Ken Kesey wrote
novels that accurately depicted the values of the people of the
1960's.
 Values of the counterculture consisted of anti-establishment
& anti-conformity.

3.  A large number of young Americans opposed
the war in Vietnam.
 With the common feeling of anti-war, thousands of
youths united as one.
 This new culture of opposition spread like wild fire
with alternate lifestyles blossoming, people coming
together and reviving their communal efforts,
demonstrated in the Woodstock Art and Music
Festival.

4.  Timothy Leary's famous phrase, "Tune in, turn on,
and drop out!"
 Never before had the younger generation been so
outspoken.
 50,000 flower children and hippies traveled to San
Francisco for the "Summer of Love," with the
Beatles' hit song, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club
Band as their light in the dark.
 The largest anti-war demonstration in history was
held when 250,000 people marched from the
Capitol to the Washington Monument, once again,
showing the unity of youth.

5.  Although different in its basic urges, the
growth of the new youth culture's open
hostility to the values of the middle-class
society
 America became more aware of its young
generation. Through protests, riots, and anti-
war demonstrations, they challenged the very
structure of American society, and spoke out
for what they believed in.