What was one key belief that drove many people into the counterculture?

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.