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Similarities Between Thoreau And Gandhi

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The views Thoreau presents in his works on have a clear connection to Gandhi’s beliefs. Both Thoreau and Gandhi advocate for the idea that violence is not the solution when at a disagreement or argument. One of Gandhi’s most famous quotes reads, “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.” He is going against revenge and violent acts. Similarly Thoreau also writes, “The mass of men serve the state thus, not as men mainly, but as machines, with their bodies.” Here he is explaining soldiers and how he believes it is almost inhumane to put them in these violent situations. Also, Thoreau and Gandhi both agree that following a system with unjust laws is morally wrong. Gandhi stated on behalf of his supporters and himself that they …show more content…

MLK exhibited similar qualities such as the belief in peaceful protests and civil disobedience. In one of his many impactful speeches he preached, “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon.” He takes on the belief in peace and nonviolent acts which was a common belief among Thoreau and Gandhi as well. Along with the belief in peace he also reflected on unjust laws mostly pertaining to equality. He stated, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” He is talking about injustice in the system and the effects it can have. This also goes back to Thoreau's stance on injustice and unjust laws. One last way that he can relate to other civil disobedience activist is his belief in not giving into things that do not coincide with your morals. He says, “The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.” This quote elaborates on not conforming to society when it goes against your morality. From unjust laws to peaceful acts Martin Luther King Jr. exhibits the same belief system that Gandhi and Thoreau did

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268 Words | 2 Pages

In my opinion Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr. have very similar purposes in their writings. Both author 's are writing to protest unfair laws. But they also have very different audiences. In Civil Disobediance, Thoreau writes how those who break unjust laws should suffer the consequences as a protest to the laws.

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565 Words | 3 Pages

Martin Luther King and Transcendentalism Martin Luther King Jr. could be considered one of the more important historical figures in our county’s history. He was the leader of the Civil Rights Movement which took place during the 1950s and 1960s. His “I Have a Dream” speech spurred the end of segregation in our country and the beginning of equality between blacks and whites. Along with being a leader, he was also a Baptist minister, as well as a husband and a father to two sons and two daughters.

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1113 Words | 5 Pages

is the prime example when talking about civil disobedience, for in the 1960s he was the head of the civil rights movement. MLK’s method required one to think logically; with his reasoning segregation was not only unjust but illogic. He achieved his goals through peaceful marches and sit-ins and often used rhetorical questions to accomplish his shared goal of ending segregation. MLK also did what he did for the long run and so that future generations could live peacefully while Antigone did what she did to bring respect to the gods and the dead. MLK believed an unjust law is no law at all so breaking it in his mind is moral and right.

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2124 Words | 9 Pages

India’s leader Mohandas Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi) was influenced by David Thoreau 's Civil Disobedience arguments while sitting in jail. Gandhi loosely adopted the term “civil disobedience” for non-violent protests and refused to cooperate with injustice. Following his release, he protested the registration law by joining labor strikes and organizing a large non-violent march. After the marches, the Boer government finally agreed to end the most divisive sections of the law. In 1907, he campaigned in South Africa and wrote a translated synopsis of Thoreau 's argument for the Indian Opinion.

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1845 Words | 8 Pages

Civil Disobedience Compare and Contrast Henry Thoreau and Martin Luther King both wrote persuasive discussions that oppose many ideals and make a justification of their cause, being both central to their argument. While the similarity is obvious, the two essays, Civil Disobedience by Thoreau and Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr. do have some similarities. King tries persuading white, southern clergymen that segregation is an evil, unfair law that ought to defeat by use of agitation of direct protesting. Thoreau, on the other hand, writes to a broader, non-addressed audience, and focuses more on the state itself. He further accepts it at its current state, in regard to the battle with Mexico and the institution of slavery.

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1097 Words | 5 Pages

About a century later, Dr. King, inspired by Thoreau exercised civil disobedience to fight for justice for African Americans. After reading Dr. King’s “letter from Birmingham Jail, one can conclude that he has been strongly inspired by Thoreau. Although both authors believe

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678 Words | 3 Pages

Civil Disobedience In the dictionary civil disobedience is the refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines, as a peaceful form of political protest, but Thoreau and Martin Luther King have their own beliefs to civil disobedience. In Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience” he writes about the need to prioritize one’s conscience over the dictates of laws. Martin Luther King uses civil disobedience as something that effectuates change in the government. Both Thoreau and Martin Luther King has similar yet different perspectives on civil disobedience.

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756 Words | 4 Pages

On April 3, 1968 King delivered his final speech “I’ve been to the mountaintop,” in Memphis Tennessee to a massive crowd at the Bishop Charles Mason Temple Church of God. His speech was to bring awareness to the unsafe working condition and wages that the African American sanitation workers received. Prior to Reverend King’s speech on Feb. 12, 1968 roughly one thousand black Memphis sanitation workers went on strike and refused to work until their demands were met. Unfortunately, their request was denied and King, as well as Reverend James T. Lawson, traveled to Memphis to lead a nonviolent march but some of the participants started to become violent breaking windows of building and looting. This was a setback for the peaceful boycott due to rowdy few one person was shot and killed.

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571 Words | 3 Pages

Eli Wiesel witnessed hatred, hatred for Jewish people and anyone that was different. Eli Wiesel talked about compassion to show people that compassion is a necessity. Because without compassion, there is only hatred. Eli Wiesel wanted to make sure that this point got across. Because Eli Wiesel wanted to make sure what happened, never happens again.

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525 Words | 3 Pages

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are two profound African American figures in history. They both fought for equality and to better humanity. But, the tactics they used were very different. Their different views may have been rooted from the where they were raised. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up in a middle class family and received a very solid education.

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1111 Words | 5 Pages

If we were to follow in the footsteps of MLK and disregard the laws we deem unjust, it is probable that this will lead to anarchy. Following this possibility, we can direct towards another claim made by MLK, in which without direct action there will be no change. From what can be extrapolated from Socrates in Crito, if one were to disregard the opinion of the many and follow the opinion of the 'expert', one would be better off and more knowledgeable. Martin Luther King can be viewed as an 'expert' on the matter of civil disobedience through direct action. Therefore, in theory, it is best to listen to the statement made by MLK that change to unjust laws can only occur through direct action, not through negotiation.

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472 Words | 2 Pages

Gandhi talked about Gandhi and Thoreau are recognize how both talked against the

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928 Words | 4 Pages

They both followed his example and used non-violence to change unfair laws in their own countries. Mahatma Gandhi “It’s my conviction that nothing enduring can be built on violence”-Mahatma Gandhi (fearlessmotivation.com).Mohandas Karachamd Gandhi was a powerful peace activist. Throughout his life, he fought for the rights of Indians. During his early life he became a lawyer, but could not find work in India and so he went to South Africa. One fine day he went on the train in first class, and then, suddenly, a white man approached him and told Gandhi that he had no right to stay in first class —even with a first class ticket.

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142 Words | 1 Pages

Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther king shared a lot of similar strategies to achieve their goals but they weren't fully similar. Martin Luther king use a peaceful kind of protest to achieve equal civil rights but in the other hand Nelson Mandela did do some peaceful protest

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658 Words | 3 Pages

Thoreau had completely different views and perspectives than Gandhi. Thoreau believed in breaking the law if it is unjust or abusive. In the essay Civil Disobedience it says “I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest”.

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