U.S. History
Woodstock Research Paper
May 16th, 2010
1538 Words
Effected By Woodstock
Known across the world as “The most famous event in rock history”, Woodstock, was a 3 day even of peace and music that took effect on the 70’s. For everyone who was at Woodstock, they have a story, A trip of a lifetime that changed them. But for those who were not physically present at Woodstock, how could if have impacted them? Woodstock changed our country and changed our youth, and even generations to come.
On August 15th, 1969 a festival of music and peace began that would last three days, change our youth and call for the immediate attention of our country. In early February of 1969, Woodstock Ventures Inc. began to create the festival of music. But not long into the planning of this event, the conservative towns folk of Woodstock became aware of the growing numbers of hippies coming to set up grounds, causing them to began filling as many lawsuits as they could in order to put a stop to the upcoming festival. The townsfolk didn’t like the idea of a bunch of hippies taking over their town even for a few days. What they didn’t know was that business would be at an all time high because of it. Woodstock was denied a permit and the site had to find a place to move or cancel the show altogether. Luckily they were offered an area to use, a farm site owned by a man named Max Yasgur in the town of Bethel, New York. As soon as the new place was decided workers came to the farm to begin to set up camping areas for 200,000. Three weeks later thousands of people from all over the country began to join the festival. For the first time in a long time people of all kinds were together letting the beauty of Woodstock take them over. For three long days music was played, drugs were taken and history was made.
The Term Paper on Music History
Music, as they say, is a universal language. Unlike dialects, music can be understood by many sans, the lyrics spoken in a different country. The simple humming of a child, done in mostly minor chords, can make everyone feel a little emotional or sad. A happy song filled with trumpets, saxophones and lively guitar tabs can make people excited and get them all to dance. Music can unite people ...
Before Woodstock the country wanted and desperately needed a change. “The assassination of John F. Kennedy kept us [Americans] with our faces fixed on our TV’s for days and gave us an insecurity that other decades had not ever felt before.” (Woodstock 1969 ).
Before Woodstock took place the country longed for peace more than anything. Although it seems that maybe people did not understand the “hippie way of life” the message they wanted to send meant something deep to them. People who were against their outlook or actions always had something to say about it. With so many things going on with the country one would think peace was a goal that everyone wanted. And it was, or so they said. But action towards that had yet to take full force. Woodstock was there to create the peace through the musical environment, and it did just that. “The 60’s was also showing pains from the growing racial issues that faced us all. Segregations, desegregation, marches on Washington. We all needed to become equal.” (Woodstock 1969).
And equal Woodstock made them. From the crowd to the stage, performers of mixed races shared the stage throughout the festival and never was there a conflict over it. Everyone was there for the same reason, to have their music heard. Woodstock set an example that becoming equal wasn’t a hard thing to do and showed the country that coming together creates peace.
With a country spreading hate and anger and the youth fighting against it, Woodstock of course was seen to be the perfect place to be. Not only was Woodstock giving the youth of the country peace and power, but freedom as well. “Before Woodstock, the biggest thing I feared was the state police. At Woodstock, they were parking attendants. People were going up to them and saying: ‘got a match’, and the police were lighting their joints for them. I couldn’t get that scene out of my head. I think Woodstock sent a message to all the kids behind us that it was OK to do what we did. It was just a fantasy world. You can’t get away with that kind of behavior and we did, and we flaunted it in front of the whole world.”(The Independent.) The youth that had been trying desperately to break out was doing it with a bang. When the word of what was going on at Woodstock was heard the youth were the first to jump on board. “I was working near the festival site as a hotel lifeguard, and we heard about Woodstock. So we quit work and told our boss: ‘Sorry, we’ll be back in four days.’”(The Independent.) There didn’t seem to be anything that kept the youth from heading for Woodstock. Not only was the youth of the country heading out to Woodstock with nothing in their way, they didn’t let anything push them to want to leave. “It was wild, I mean there was a lot of stuff going on. The people were walking around tripping, incoherent, myself included. I remember looking and saying: ‘Oh my God, what is all of this?’ Everything that shouldn’t have been done was being done. I had my face scratched by this girl I was trying to help who was obviously flipping out on acid. I was caked in mud, my hair was string, and we were hungry. It was awful. But I didn’t leave.”(PBS).
The Essay on The Pen Is Mightier than the Sword and Peace Time
1. Peace hath her victories no less renounced than: By the word victory we generally understand the winning of a battle. We know the history of victories of great conquerors like Alexander, Changiz Khan and Napoleon. But like heroes like Buddha, Ashoka and Akbor won greater glory by bringing to mankind the blessing of peace. We have seen the two devastating world wars. They crippled the world ...
Clearly, Woodstock was an adventure and people accepted that like there wasn’t a choice.
Out of all the people in this country, Woodstock effected our nations youth more than any other group there. Everything about the youth at Woodstock set the vibe of the place to a perfect setting. First to perform at Woodstock was Richie Havens. Due to the amount of traffic Richie stayed on stage much longer then planed and made up a song on the spot that is to this day said to be the heart song of Woodstock.(The History Rat) Freedom, by Richie Havens was basically a repetition song that threw the weekend into a vibe of power and exactly what it says, freedom. Woodstock took presence in the memory of youth there for many years to come and still to this day. But not every impact Woodstock had on people was positive. “Woodstock changed my life for ever. I always thought of myself as a hippy, but after that, the commitment to that lifestyle was solidified 10 times over. I got heavily into drugs, into the movement, into demonstrations, and Woodstock propelled me into this other lifestyle. It has taken me years to get over it. It took me a long time to get a job and become a useful member of society. I joined the ‘Twelve-step Program’ and became clean and sober, and it was the hardest thing I had to do. Whereas before I would try to turn on the world and if you didn’t get high with me you were not cool, today it’s the opposite. I try to speak at rehab centers and tell people how Woodstock changed a lot of people’s lives in the negative sense.” ( Squidoo) For many of the people who dealt with drug problems after Woodstock, it was because it had started there.
The Essay on To what extent did the status of Black people change in the years 1945 to 1955?
I would agree with this statement but I would also think there are aspects of the status of black people that did change in these years and the impacts of which could be debated. In 1945, the Second World War ended. Black people’s status hadn’t changed but their attitudes had. They started to question why they were fighting for freedom in other countries, against the Nazi oppression of ...
Today many people still want to go back and re-live the adventure they called Woodstock. But it could never be done the way it was in 1969. Today the field and the stage area remain preserved in their rural setting. On the field are the remands of a neon flower and a bass from the festival. In the middle of the field, there is a totem pole with wood carvings of Jimi Hendrix in the middle. A concert hall has been erected up the hill. And to this day the fields of the famous Yasgur farm are still visited by people of all generations. (Woodstock 1969.)
After everything that happened because of Woodstock something are clear to have happened. Woodstock changed Americas people, especially the youth. It was a time of peace and a time that helped show the word that the unthinkable can be done. A time of freedom and acceptance where everyone could be themselves. When the music took over and sent a vibe through so many people at once. Woodstock will forever be remember by the ones who lived through it. Woodstock will always be talked about. For good or for bad Woodstock was a nation changing moment in our country’s history and will forever be a turning point in the minds of many people.
The Essay on Woodstock 1969 Festival Music Youths
The Woodstock of 1969 was a revolution in itself and responsible for redefining the point of view, respect, and attitude of the so-called 'counter-cultured' youth of the late sixties. The attendants of the festival were youths from around the United States in ages ranging from 17 to 26. The overall mood of the festival was very relaxed and happy. Although there was a minimal amount of violence at ...
Work Cited Page
“After Woodstock: did they ever find Peace? – News – The Independent.” The Independent | News | UK and Worldwide News | Newspaper. 25 May 2010 .
“Think Tank: Transcript for “Did Woodstock change America?”” PBS. 25 May 2010 .
“Woodstock ? Did the 1960s Change the World? «.” The History Rat. 25 May 2010 .
“Woodstock 1969 | Woodstock.com the Official Woodstock Site.” The Woodstock Festivals and All Live Music. Share and Discover Concerts. | Woodstock.com the Official Woodstock Site. 24 May 2010 .
“Woodstock Music Festival 1969.” Squidoo : Welcome to Squidoo. 25 May 2010 .
