Abbie Hoffman was a political and social activist from the United States who helped create the Youth International Party (“Yippies”). He was an outspoken anti-war activist who never shied away from voicing his dissatisfaction with the current American political system. He became a symbol of the anti-war movement and the counterculture era thanks to his perfectly orchestrated rallies and disruptions. As a youth, he was renowned for being a troublemaker, getting into fights, flouting rules, and disobeying authorities. With time, he matured and began to devote his energy to more worthwhile causes rather than rebelling for the sake of rebelling. He joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and became involved in the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement. During the Vietnam War, he became known for his dramatic and hilarious exploits, which he used to promote anti-war activism. His antics got him in trouble with the law, and he was frequently arrested. However, his frequent run-ins with the law did not dissuade his zealous advocacy, and he maintained his work even when in hiding. He was at the height of his fame when he committed suicide, startling both his fervent fans and the wider public in the United States, who couldn’t understand that someone as brave as Hoffman could commit suicide.
Childhood and Adolescence
Abbot Howard “Abbie” Hoffman was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on November 30, 1936. John Hoffman and Florence Schamberg, his parents, were from a middle-class family.
Hoffman had been a problem since he was a child, and he was dismissed from Classical High School in his sophomore year owing to a paper in which he expressed strong communist ideas. He also instigated fights and vandalized property at the school.
He later enrolled at Worcester Academy, where he received his diploma in 1955. During this time, Marxist theorist Herbert Marcuse played a significant role in Hoffman’s life and influenced his political viewpoint.
After getting a BA in Psychology from Brandeis University in 1959, he went on to the University of California to pursue his master’s degree.
Career of Abbie Hoffman
Hoffman was involved with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which sold things to fund the Civil Rights Movement in the southern United States, before becoming a key member of the Yippie movement.
Hoffman denounced the war and the American economic and political system during the Vietnam War. He got a lot of fame by using comedic and dramatic means to convey himself. He used psychic energy to elevate the Pentagon till it glowed orange and vibrated, as an example, when he challenged a group of troops who had constructed a barricade to block the Pentagon stairs.
Hoffman and a group of associates disrupted the New York Stock Exchange’s operation in August 1967 by showering the trading floor with dollars, both real and fake.
Hoffman was arrested and tried as a part of the Chicago Seven for his anti-war actions against the Vietnam War. However, he continued his rebellious attitude during the proceedings and repeatedly targeted the court and lawyers. He was convicted of inciting a riot with the purpose to cause a riot and sentenced to five years in jail, but the conviction was later reversed by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Hoffman interrupted The Who’s performance at Woodstock in 1969 to protest the imprisonment of White Panther Party leader John Sinclair.
Hoffman published a book named “Steal This Book” in 1971 to express his thoughts. He invited readers to take to the stage at concerts and live shows to share their message with a huge audience through this article. He also taught them how to be self-sufficient. Many people were inspired by the book’s title and began stealing it from bookstores. Hoffman also penned a number of additional books, including Vote!
Hoffman resurfaced in November 1986, after spending a lengthy period underground, when he was jailed for trespassing at the University of Massachusetts with fourteen other persons. They were all acquitted, however, since the jury declared them not guilty.
Following that, he appeared in Oliver Stone’s anti-Vietnam War film “Born on the Fourth of July.” Eight months after his death, the film was released posthumously.
Major Projects of Abbie Hoffman
Abbie Hoffman wrote a book called ‘Steal This Book,’ which epitomized the 1960s counterculture. He outlined the tactics and actions that could be employed to combat government and corruption in this popular book. It attracted a large audience and quickly became a best-seller thanks to word of mouth.
Achievements & Awards
Hoffman was honored with the Courage of Conscience award after his death in 1992.
Personal History and Legacy
In 1960, Abbie Hoffman married Sheila Karklin. They were the parents of two children. However, the couple’s marriage did not survive long, and they divorced in 1966.
In 1967, he remarried Anita Kushner. He had one son from this marriage, whom he named “America,” with a lowercase “a” on purpose. After Hoffman went on the run in 1973, the couple split up and divorced a few years later in 1980.
He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1980 and got depressed after his mother was diagnosed with cancer in the late 1980s. He died on April 12, 1989, after ingesting 150 phenobarbital tablets and a bottle of bourbon. His death was ruled to be a suicide.
Abbie Hoffman Net Worth
Abbie is one of the wealthiest Civil Rights Leaders, as well as one of the most well-known Civil Rights Leaders. Abbie Hoffman’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million, according to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.