The American Government was officially established in 1789, and was created by the people for the people. As American citizens, we are encouraged to influence the government. When an individual, or a collective group opposes a law because they find it unjust, we are urged to fight for what we believe in. Civil disobedience is a practice used throughout history that peacefully protests the government in situations one opposes. The practice of peacefully resisting laws positively impacts a free society because it is an outlet for citizens to influence the government, and influences other citizens to stand up for what they believe in.
Throughout the course of time, peaceful protests have had a positive impact in a free society. A man by the name of Henry David Thoreau was an ultimate example of the positive impacts of civil disobedience. Thoreau, born into a generation of farmers, was against the strict limits the government placed on him. His beliefs consisted of transcendentalist views. This means that he believed in naturalistic opinions and simplicity, not in the government. Thoreau practiced civil disobedience by not conforming to a society run by the government, but rather starting his own life in the woods. By immersing himself in nature, he had hoped to gain a more simplistic life. Instead of violently protesting the government, he peacefully made a stance by starting his own life without rules. Thoreau also made an impact by peacefully protesting when he refused to pay taxes on a pair of shoes he bought. He was thrown into jail for this act, but never acted …show more content…
Henry David Thoreau and Rosa Parks are both historical figures that influenced change in American history through civil disobedience. Peaceful protests today, such as the one in California for same sex marriage, still influence society in a positive
Throughout the course of time, peaceful protests have had a positive impact in a free society. A man by the name of Henry David Thoreau was an ultimate example of the positive impacts of civil disobedience. Thoreau, born into a generation of farmers, was against the strict limits the government placed on him. His beliefs consisted of transcendentalist views. This means that he believed in naturalistic opinions and simplicity, not in the government. Thoreau practiced civil disobedience by not conforming to a society run by the government, but rather starting his own life in the woods. By immersing himself in nature, he had hoped to gain a more simplistic life. Instead of violently protesting the government, he peacefully made a stance by starting his own life without rules. Thoreau also made an impact by peacefully protesting when he refused to pay taxes on a pair of shoes he bought. He was thrown into jail for this act, but never acted …show more content…
Henry David Thoreau and Rosa Parks are both historical figures that influenced change in American history through civil disobedience. Peaceful protests today, such as the one in California for same sex marriage, still influence society in a positive