Where would the United States of America be without Henry David Thoreau refusing poll taxes, without The Montgomery Bus Boycott, and without Edward Snowden’s release of N.S.A. information? These three events have one similarity; they are all acts of civil disobedience. Civil disobedience can be defined as the act of opposing a law one considers unjust and peacefully disobeying it while accepting the consequences. This is a controversial topic for discussion considering people believe it to be both a positive and negative impact in a free society. Because of the outcomes of Henry David Thoreau’s refusal to pay poll taxes, The Montgomery Bus Boycott, and Edward Snowden’s release of N.S.A. information, it is clear that peaceful resistance
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He believed it was unjust to pay poll taxes for a war he did not support, and thus decided to peacefully refuse paying these taxes. He only spent one night in jail over the matter, but he was deeply impacted by the situation. Thoreau profoundly wrote one of the most cited documents in the Civil Rights Movement following his jail time. Thoreau’s entire essay argued that citizens should not blindly follow a government if they believe the actions of that government are unjust. He was willing to risk his physical freedoms by going to jail in order to support his morals and beliefs. It takes great bravery and courage to support a cause that goes against the government. Henry David Thoreau’s act of civil disobedience left a positive impact because he was able to express the importance of freedom of speech in a free society. Henry David Thoreau meant no harm with Civil Disobedience, he was speaking for his morals and beliefs which he is protected to do under the first amendment. As Henry David Thoreau said, “There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly.” Being in a free society means that individuals are allowed to fight and speak for causes they believe
He believed it was unjust to pay poll taxes for a war he did not support, and thus decided to peacefully refuse paying these taxes. He only spent one night in jail over the matter, but he was deeply impacted by the situation. Thoreau profoundly wrote one of the most cited documents in the Civil Rights Movement following his jail time. Thoreau’s entire essay argued that citizens should not blindly follow a government if they believe the actions of that government are unjust. He was willing to risk his physical freedoms by going to jail in order to support his morals and beliefs. It takes great bravery and courage to support a cause that goes against the government. Henry David Thoreau’s act of civil disobedience left a positive impact because he was able to express the importance of freedom of speech in a free society. Henry David Thoreau meant no harm with Civil Disobedience, he was speaking for his morals and beliefs which he is protected to do under the first amendment. As Henry David Thoreau said, “There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly.” Being in a free society means that individuals are allowed to fight and speak for causes they believe