The Beat Generation (Beatniks)

Presented by:Nicholas LaBelle & Zoe Countess

Origins:● Very start was late 40s in New York and San Fran. (first

happening on Oct. 7, 1955● movement came from the jazz culture of the 1950s and

1960s● loss of faith in the American system● Center of movement in San Francisco (was mostly on

West Coast)● Jack Kerouac coined the term “Beat Generation”

Typical Beatnik● usually beatniks were young, white, well educated,

came from a good economic environment ● spoke like black hipsters and black jazz musicians● critics called them “cool” and detached from “square”

society● wore black berets, dark turtle neck sweaters, and dark

shades● rode in limos● drank alcohol● stereotype of the rebellious youth

Typical Beatnik

Here is an ad for a beret….

Notice the interesting lingo in the ad….

● lettuce = marijuana● “kool-like”● real snazzyYou can get a beret with….● race car flag emblem● bongos emblem● or just plain

Beliefs ● strove for individualism and freedom● wanted to experiment in new social and

cultural concepts● experimented with illicit drugs (drugs helped

creativity), free sex, sexual pattern, social and marital arrangements

● promoted buddhist concepts

Impacts on Society

● Largest impact:Paved way for hippie movement● Spread poetry to the masses (Pocket Poet

series)● Spoke against government actions● Fought for civil rights

Trends that were later accepted

● rock and roll music● long hair● relaxed style dresses● vegetarianism● Eastern religions● extra marital sexual activity

Famous Writers and Works

● Allen Ginsberg:Wrote Howl and Other Poems

● Jack Kerouac :Wrote On the Road

● William S. BurroughsWrote Naked Lunch Allen Ginsberg

Allen Ginsberg II

Society’s Reaction

● Older generation made fun of those in the movement● Were criticized for breaking down social values● Mainstream media tried to discredit the

movement● Howl faced immense criticism Site for Photo

Works Cited:"A Brief Guide to the Beat Poets." Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.

"CBC Digital Archives Beatniks: The Hippie Forefathers." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 06 Dec. 2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2014.

Text Citation (Chicago Manual of Style format):Walsh, Patrick J. "counterculture." In Winkler, Allan M., Charlene Mires, and Gary B. Nash, eds. Encyclopedia of American History: Postwar United States, 1946 to 1968, Revised Edition (Volume IX). New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2010. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE52&iPin=EAHIX056&SingleRecord=True (accessed March 10, 2014).

Text Citation (Chicago Manual of Style format):Burg, David F. "Beat movement." Encyclopedia of Student and Youth Movements. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 1998. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE52&iPin=student00081&SingleRecord=True (accessed March 10, 2014).

Work Cited:https://www.google.com/search?q=beatniks&rlz=1CASMAE_enUS556US563&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=KDEfU9elA8GmkQeO-4DoCQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=657&safe=active&ssui=

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