As students and other people in the United States started realizing their power to change things and that they could do just about anything they'd like, counterculture developed. Counterculture was a spontaneous, free-loving, defiant group of people into harmonizing and communal living. This group of people rejected conventional/traditional beliefs, challenging and going against the "norm" to spread their ideological beliefs. They played a large role in the anti-war campaign and contributed to student protests.