Morgan – IB Language and Lit
The Influence of Civil Disobedience Speech
You have been reading about Henry David Thoreau and the night in jail that influenced him to
write Civil Disobedience. To explore the impact of this essay, you will research a person, event
or organization that has practiced non-violent civil disobedience. After your research, you will
present a 10 - 15 minute oral commentary that explores the ways in which Henry David Thoreau
influenced this person/group. Be sure to introduce your topic with a brief explanation of
Thoreau’s ideas and then detail the ways in which these ideas were used by your person/group.
Be certain to use textual evidence from both Thoreau and your person/group to support your
points. It is HIGHLY suggested that you produce an outline to guide your speech. Your speech
must be 10-15 minutes and you MAY NOT read from a prepared speech. You may use brief
notes or an outline.
Suggested Topics:
Rep. John Lewis
Lunch Counter Sit-ins
Buddhist Monks-Saigon
Harriet Tubman
Sojourner Truth
Chief Joseph
John Brown
American Indian Movement
Leonard Peltier
Lech Walesa/Solidarity Movement
Greenpeace
PETA
Susan B. Anthony
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Carrie Nation
Tiananmen Square Protests-1989
Vietnam Anti-War Movement
Occupation of Alcatraz
Mahatma Gandhi
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Black Panthers
Arab Spring-Egypt/Libya/Tunisia
Cesar Chavez
Dolores Huerta
Grape and Lettuce Boycotts
Bishop Desmond Tutu
Dalai Lama
Muhammad Ali
Tibetan Monks
Cuban Dissidents (Yo No)
Puerto Rican Independence Party
Nelson Mandela
Occupy Wall Street
Bobby Sands
Aung San Suu Kyi
Lieutenant Dan Choi
Other – talk to me first!