Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience
espouses the need to prioritize one’s conscience over the dictates of laws
. It criticizes American social institutions and policies, most prominently slavery and the Mexican-American War.
What is the thesis of Civil Disobedience?
In “Civil Disobedience,”
Thoreau considers whether people in a democratic society are bound to obey the will of the majority
(the source, at least in theory, of laws). He argues that the fact that a law has been passed does not mean that it is morally justified.
What is the main idea of Civil Disobedience?
Civil disobedience, also called passive resistance, the refusal to obey the demands or commands of a government or occupying power, without resorting to violence or active measures of opposition; its usual purpose is
to force concessions from the government or occupying power
.
What is the main idea of Civil Disobedience quizlet?
Civil Disobedience- What is the main idea?
People have the right to passively (non-aggressive) resist the government.
What is Thoreau’s theme?
The principal theme of Walden by Henry David Thoreau is
simplicity
. More specifically, Thoreau extolls the joys and satisfactions of a simple life.
What are the two main ideas of Civil Disobedience?
In Civil Disobedience, Thoreau’s basic premise is that a higher law than civil law demands the obedience of the individual. Human law and government are subordinate. In cases where the two are at odds with one another,
the individual must follow his conscience and, if necessary, disregard human law
.
What are the three types of Civil Disobedience?
- Sabotage of trade and business activity. Actions include disrupting trade, boycotts of products and deliberate damaging of goods. …
- Labour resistance. …
- Breaking unfair laws.
Why did Thoreau write Civil Disobedience?
Thoreau wrote Civil Disobedience
to justify not paying his taxes, for which he was put in jail
. He refused to pay his taxes to protest two injustices he believed were perpetrated by the United States government: slavery and the war against Mexico.
Why Civil Disobedience is important?
Civil disobedience is an important part of a democratic country because it is
one of the driving factors that allow individuals to exercise their rights to free speech and speak up against an unfair and unjust government and its laws
.
What was Thoreau’s purpose in writing Civil Disobedience?
Henry David Thoreau’s purpose in writing “resistance to civil government” was
to explain the need to prioritize one’s conscience over the dictates of laws
. In his essay, Thoreau explains that governments are typically more harmful than helpful and therefore cannot be justified.
Which is an example of an act of Civil Disobedience?
Some of the most common forms of civil disobedience are an
illegal boycott, refusal to pay taxes, picketing, draft-dodging, denial of services, strikes, and sit-ins
. non-co-operation. Non-cooperation with government, institutions make it difficult for them to function.
Which of the following is the best example of Civil Disobedience?
refusing to pay taxes
because you disapprove of how the money is being used by the government not paying for a shirt at the store because you feel it was a product of child labor driving through stop signs because you believe there are too many in your neighborhood protesting outside the local jail because you feel …
What is the general goal of people who engage in Civil Disobedience quizlet?
A form of political participation that reflects
a conscious decision to break a law believed to be immoral and to suffer the consequences
.
What are the four main ideas of self-reliance?
- Nonconformity and Compassion. Ralph Waldo Emerson makes it explicit from the start of Self-Reliance that “Whoso be a man, must be a nonconformist. …
- Society and Selfless Action. …
- Youth and Inward Revolution. …
- Genius and Principle.
What is the main theme of self-reliance?
“Self-Reliance” is an 1841 essay written by American transcendentalist philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. It contains the most thorough statement of one of Emerson’s recurrent themes:
the need for each individual to avoid conformity and false consistency, and follow his own instincts and ideas
.
What was Thoreau’s philosophy?
Thoreau’s philosophy says that
value is not inherently monetary and can be found anywhere
, especially in the beauty of the natural world. One who adopts Thoreau’s philosophies for beauty and value will inherently stand at odds with some of the ideals of society, pushing luxury and money.
