Henry David Thoreau’s "Civil Disobedience" (1849)
In "Civil Disobedience," Thoreau argues that individuals should follow
their conscience, even if it means breaking the law. He advocates
nonviolent resistance against unjust laws, drawing from his personal
experience of refusing to pay taxes as a protest against slavery and the
Mexican-American War.
1. Moral Duty Over Law: Thoreau believes people should prioritize their
personal sense of right and wrong over the government's laws. If a law is
unjust, it is the individual's moral responsibility to disobey it.
2. Nonviolent Protest: Thoreau encourages peaceful, nonviolent
resistance. His own refusal to pay taxes led to his brief imprisonment, a
direct act of civil disobedience.
3. Criticism of Government: Thoreau criticizes the government,
particularly its support of slavery and the Mexican-American War, famously
stating, "That government is best which governs least."
4. Power of the Individual: He believes that change starts with the
individual. If enough people resist unjust laws, they can bring about positive
societal change without violence.
Thoreau’s ideas on civil disobedience have influenced major figures like
Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., making this essay a
cornerstone for nonviolent resistance movements.
!