THE HIPPIE MOVEMENT

Burning Man Project 2008


Woodstock 1969

The Hippie Movement came about on the heels of the Beatnik revolution. Though both shared the common idea to rebel against the “system”, the Hippie movement was a more passive means to the same end. It was a quiet social revolt. Hippies wanted to show their disapproval for the restraints of society through unconventional methods. For example, to show they thought jobs made people slaves to society, they simply said, “no” to jobs. They believed in pursuing happiness, love, and peace at all times so having jobs would take time from that pursuit.

Unlike the Beatniks who were intellectuals, elites, and invited, (even the movement’s leaders met by invitation only) the Hippies were made up of everyone, regardless of race or gender, economic or social status. Everyone was welcomed. Differences were celebrated and the only rule was there are no rules. As a hippy you committed yourself to pursue love, happiness, and freedom.

Hippies were most concentrated in the Western United States. This is also evidence of a “tag-team” revolution with the Beatniks, for though the Beatniks started on the East Coast, they soon migrated to the West. Some notable Hippies and Hippy supporters are: Cat Stevens, Jim Morrison, Joplin, and Jimmie Hendrix.