Glossary
Alfred Kinsey
An American biologist and sexologist whose pioneering surveys on human sexual behavior in the late 1940s and 1950s challenged traditional beliefs and contributed to the onset of the sexual revolution.
Example:
Alfred Kinsey's research revealed that many sexual practices previously considered taboo were more common than publicly acknowledged, sparking widespread discussion and debate.
Counterculture
A social and cultural phenomenon of the 1960s characterized by a rejection of mainstream values and a rebellion against traditional social, political, and cultural norms.
Example:
The counterculture movement embraced individualism, peace, and love, often expressed through distinctive fashion, music, and communal living.
Hallucinogenic Drugs
Psychoactive substances, such as LSD, that alter perception, mood, and thought, which became associated with the counterculture movement's experimentation.
Example:
The use of hallucinogenic drugs was a controversial aspect of the counterculture, with some viewing it as a path to expanded consciousness and others as a destructive habit.
Hippies / Flower Children
Terms used to describe members of the 1960s counterculture who rejected materialism and conformity, seeking alternative lifestyles based on peace, love, and freedom.
Example:
Many hippies embraced vibrant clothing, long hair, and folk music as symbols of their rebellion against conventional society.
New Left
A broad political movement of the 1960s and 1970s, primarily composed of young people, students, and intellectuals, who sought radical social change and criticized traditional liberal and socialist politics.
Example:
The New Left emerged from a desire to address systemic issues like civil rights and economic inequality, advocating for grassroots organizing and participatory democracy.
Port Huron Statement
A 1962 political manifesto written by Tom Hayden for the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), outlining their beliefs and goals for a more participatory democracy and a just society.
Example:
The Port Huron Statement articulated the SDS's vision for a society where ordinary people had a greater say in decisions, inspiring a generation of student activists.
Sexual Revolution
A period of significant change in attitudes towards sexual expression and behavior, beginning in the mid-20th century, challenging traditional taboos and increasing acceptance of diverse sexual practices.
Example:
The widespread availability of the birth control pill and changing social norms fueled the sexual revolution, leading to more open discussions about premarital sex and contraception.
Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)
A prominent student activist organization of the 1960s, founded on the principles outlined in the Port Huron Statement, advocating for participatory democracy and social change.
Example:
The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organized numerous protests against the Vietnam War and championed civil rights, becoming a leading voice of the New Left.
Summer of Love
The summer of 1967, when a large number of young people converged in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, embracing counterculture ideals of peace, love, and free expression.
Example:
The Summer of Love became a vibrant hub of music, art, and activism, drawing thousands to experience an alternative lifestyle.
Vietnam War
A prolonged military conflict (1955-1975) in Southeast Asia where the U.S. intervened to prevent the spread of communism, leading to significant domestic opposition and disillusionment among American youth.
Example:
The widespread protests against the Vietnam War marked a turning point in American youth's trust in government foreign policy and global interventions.
Woodstock Music Festival
A landmark three-day music festival held in August 1969 in Bethel, New York, symbolizing the zenith of the counterculture movement and its ideals of peace and love.
Example:
Over 400,000 people gathered at the Woodstock Music Festival to celebrate music and community, making it an enduring symbol of the 1960s.