Essay: “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience” Author: Henry David Thoreau, –62 First published: The original essay is in the public domain in the United States and in most, if not all, other countries as well. Readers outside the United States should check their own countries’ copyright laws to May 13, · Civil Disobedience is an essay written by Henry David Thoreau first published in , in which Thoreau attempts to convince readers to oppose the Mexican-American War and the institution of slavery as a whole. First presented as a lecture in , and shortly thereafter as an essay titled Resistance to Civil Government/5(40) Civil Disobedience. by Henry D. Thoreau. Original title: Resistance to Civil Government. I heartily accept the motto, "That government is best which governs least"; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe--"That government is best which governs not at all"; and when men are prepared for it,
Civil Disobedience and Henry David Thoreau - Free Essay Example | blogger.com
Civil Disobedience is an essay written by Henry David Thoreau first published inin which Thoreau attempts to convince readers to oppose the Mexican-American War and the institution of slavery as a whole. First presented as a lecture inand shortly thereafter as an essay titled Resistance to Civil Government.
It was not until sometime after Thoreaus death that the essay was published as Civil Disobedience and began to gain further prominence and popularity. In his essay, Thoreau attempts to explain his rationale for protesting against his own government by non-violent means. His essay has become a de facto manifesto for those seeing political change by means of peaceful protest.
It is difficult for one to argue that Thoreaus heart wasnt in the right place while penning his essay. Living in a country that he so dearly loved, he was a firsthand witness to slavery, an evil institution that needed to be abolished, and a war between the United States and Mexico which was being fought only to establish new territory in which slavery could be expanded into.
Well ahead of his time, both ethically and morally, he sought to protest these actions of his country which he deemed objectionable, and he would do so without bloodshed. Living in a country which, henry david thoreau civil disobedience essay its inception, used its fists, not only to gain power, but to intimidate and bully those that threated its status quo, Thoreau would attempt to convince those who were as driven as he was to peacefully rise-up.
Civil Disobedience, gained its fair share of notoriety when it was published, and over the last century and a half has become the foundation upon which many civil rights leaders and activists build and pursue their cause. It has helped to shape landmark rulings from high courts, while also shaping the moral discourse that our country was facing. This essay serves to explain how such a seeming short essay, penned over years ago, could have such a lasting impact.
Comparisons to more modern day activists such as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. and their methods of peaceful protest will be discussed as well.
Finally, the overall relevance in todays world, and whether or not Thoreaus work still measures up by todays standards, henry david thoreau civil disobedience essay. Throughout his essay, Thoreau is trying to prove one main point: Citizens in good conscience, should actively oppose the unjust policies of their government using non-violent henry david thoreau civil disobedience essay. This includes refusal to pay taxes and other methods of non-cooperation.
According to Thoreau, one must be willing to be imprisoned rather than to bow to the unethical and immoral government laws and practices. One topic that is touched upon but never explicitly said, and actually serves as a larger basis for his rational, states that the rule of God, transcends the law of man.
Moral and ethical convictions which are considered to be an innate characteristic in every man, can and should supersede any laws created by man himself. Slavery and war, which Thoreau writes about as specific influences, are both in direct objection to the divine rule listed above. The Mexican-American War was a major inspiration for Thoreaus work. Having seen the United States essentially bombard Mexico and claiming their territory as their own, all in the name of what Thoreau saw as slavery expansion, something needed to be done.
Seeing his country continuing to perpetuate these moral injustices could no longer go unchallenged. Thoreau understood that something needed to change, and that he also couldnt be the only one with those same feelings. He also knew that solving violence and aggression with more violence and aggression would only exacerbate the problem, and ultimately lead to no solution. With these things in mind, Thoreau sought to protest the actions and behaviors of his county. His primary method, was to stop paying taxes.
The theory was, that if he were to not pay taxes, that would be less money to henry david thoreau civil disobedience essay the actions of the government in which he was protesting against. He understood that his monetary implications on the government as a whole were negligible, however the results would be seen in the message being sent.
This seemingly small form of disobedience would not fail to be noticed, and Thoreau would eventually be imprisoned for his actions. Thoreaus non-violent form of protest and willingness to be imprisoned rather than support his countries degrading moral behavior served as the basis for two very important and crucial civil rights activists some years later.
Mohandas Gandhi was an Indian activist who led the non-violent Indian Independence Movement against British rule. Gandhi adopted and expanded the methods of non-violent protest that Thoreau outlined, including: hunger strikes, mass noncooperation, nonviolent direct action and other social, cultural, economic, and political forms to intervene. Civil Disobedience and Henry David Thoreau. com, May 13, Accessed May 19, comMay We will send an essay sample to you in 2 Hours.
If you need help faster you can always use our custom writing service. Did you like this example? Having doubts about how to write your paper correctly? Get started, henry david thoreau civil disobedience essay.
Leave your email and we will send a sample to you. Email Get sample. Thank you! Get help with my paper. Sorry, but copying text is forbidden on this website. You can leave an email and we will send it to you, henry david thoreau civil disobedience essay. Didn't find the paper henry david thoreau civil disobedience essay you were looking for?
What is your topic? Number of pages. Deadline 0 days left. Any subject, henry david thoreau civil disobedience essay. Pay if satisfied, henry david thoreau civil disobedience essay.
Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau Explained
, time: 4:30Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau | Best Essay Lab
May 17, · Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau Published by on May 17, The term papers should be typed and double spaced, using a Times New Roman font of There should be a title page and one-inch margins should be utilized throughout the paper. You must not use other sources to write these papers. discuss what is the article about, what is May 17, · Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau. The term papers should be typed and double spaced, using a Times New Roman font of There should be a title page and one-inch margins should be utilized throughout the paper. You must not use other sources to write these papers. discuss what is the article about, what is the author trying to argue Civil Disobedience. by Henry D. Thoreau. Original title: Resistance to Civil Government. I heartily accept the motto, "That government is best which governs least"; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe--"That government is best which governs not at all"; and when men are prepared for it,
No comments:
Post a Comment