Introduction to the Beatnik Society and the Hippie Nation

The Beat Generation is a term used to describe a group of American writers and artists who came to prominence in the 1950s, and the cultural phenomena that they wrote about and inspired (later sometimes called "beatniks"). Central elements of "Beat" culture included experimentation with drugs and alternative forms of sexuality, and a rejection of materialism.  The language and topics of the beat writing pushed the boundaries of acceptability in the conformist 1950s: they often openly discussed drug use, sexuality (in particular homosexuality) and criminal behavior without condemnation.  There was a generational shift when the crowds of young hipsters started hanging out with the old beats. The younger people wore bright clothes and believed in political activism to change the world. The Beats called the hipsters: "Hippies." And thus a new generation was born. These Hippies were more radical and free than their Beatnik predecessors. Drugs, sex, and art were used to express the socialistic ideals of the Hippies. However the Hippies eventually became the popular group for young people and people just joined the movement to be cool. The movement eventually lost its momentum because their socialistic ideals could simply not take form in a capitalistic society of America, and the Hippies disbanded. The revolution ended.