Henry David Thoreau, is a transcendentalist who believed that society does not want you to become an individual. To free one’s self from the material world, and to go above and beyond what society expects people to do. His essay “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience” shows how during time of 1849 when is essay was published the life in North America was currently difficult to live in, since the Mexican-American war was currently in session, and people were sent to jail unjustly if they did not pay their poll tax. He did not believe that the American government is all bad and unjust, but that as an individual the American people should demand better. He encouraged American citizens to speak against what the people believe to be immoral government
…show more content…
For this reason, “there are thousands who are in opinion opposed to slavery and to the war, who yet in effect do nothing to put an end to them” by simply avoiding immoral government support like slavery and the Mexican-American war the power of an individual can bring about a life changing experience. It is extremely important for the reader to understand and acknowledge Thoreau relationship with the government and why individualism is so important. He does not think that all government is bad but “simply wish[es] to refuse allegiance to the state, to withdraw and stand aloof from it effectually” since he strongly believes that “if his soul and conscience was free than he was free”. …show more content…
Civil Disobedience is another important aspect in Thoreau essay “under a government which imprisons unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison” in other words although people were sent to jail for not paying their poll tax during this time. Thoreau himself was sent to jail for “refusing to pay a poll tax, on the ground that tax supported the war effort and therefore, the extension of slavery” and yet he encouraged many Americans citizens to stop paying their poll tax because he believed by doing this the American people will be sending a stronger message to the government than just by simply voting. For the reason that if people did pay their poll than those people are in essence supportive of the American government, the Mexican-American war and slavery. His essay influenced many civil rights leaders and encouraged many American citizens to demand what they deserved. His essay made a tremendous impact on my Americans lives and still to this
For this reason, “there are thousands who are in opinion opposed to slavery and to the war, who yet in effect do nothing to put an end to them” by simply avoiding immoral government support like slavery and the Mexican-American war the power of an individual can bring about a life changing experience. It is extremely important for the reader to understand and acknowledge Thoreau relationship with the government and why individualism is so important. He does not think that all government is bad but “simply wish[es] to refuse allegiance to the state, to withdraw and stand aloof from it effectually” since he strongly believes that “if his soul and conscience was free than he was free”. …show more content…
Civil Disobedience is another important aspect in Thoreau essay “under a government which imprisons unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison” in other words although people were sent to jail for not paying their poll tax during this time. Thoreau himself was sent to jail for “refusing to pay a poll tax, on the ground that tax supported the war effort and therefore, the extension of slavery” and yet he encouraged many Americans citizens to stop paying their poll tax because he believed by doing this the American people will be sending a stronger message to the government than just by simply voting. For the reason that if people did pay their poll than those people are in essence supportive of the American government, the Mexican-American war and slavery. His essay influenced many civil rights leaders and encouraged many American citizens to demand what they deserved. His essay made a tremendous impact on my Americans lives and still to this