David Thoreau's Involvement In Civil Disobedience, If A Law

Henry David Thoreau once stated in his book Civil Disobedience, If a law “is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law” (About Thoreau). He had strong beliefs in standing firm in what you think is right. Civil disobedience is explained as a person or group of people who stand against a law that they believe in unjust (Suber). The group or individual participating in civil disobedience usually peaceful, and do not fight against any repercussions against their acts. Their purpose for doing this is usually to bring attention to the law or laws that they view as unjust. Their goal is to have the law changed or completely abolished (Starr). Henry David Thoreau’s involvement in civil disobedience was due to personal influences, he chose to participate in civil disobedience to protest taxes he viewed as unfair and unnecessary, and he did achieve personal success using this controversial method of standing up for what he strongly believes to be right. However, there were no public changes made due to his act of civil disobedience (About Thoreau). Having knowledge of Henry Thoreau’s personal life if a necessity to fully understand and realize the impact of his act of civil disobedience. Thoreau was

He achieved his personal goal because the government did recognize that he was not happy with the government’s decisions, when they had to imprison him for a night. Though there were no changes made at the time, and no decision to end the Spanish war Thoreau was contempt that he did not give in to something that he felt was wrong (McElroy). After his act of civil disobedience he wrote the book Civil Disobedience which went on to influence figures such as Ghandi, and Martin Luther King Jr, in their acts against laws that they felt went against their conscience and the rights of humanity