Civil Disobedience

Civil Disobedience is defined as refusal to obey civil laws or decrees, which usually takes the form of direct action (Grolier’s Encyclopedia Online 2). Thoreau wrote that people practicing civil disobedience, break a law because they consider the law unjust. People want to call attention to its injustice. Thoreau voiced civil disobedience as, “An expression of the individual’s liberty to create change” (Thoreau 530). Years later Martin Luther King Jr. took the same idea of direct action to protest the injustices brought upon black Americans in the United States. One major example was the Birmingham bus boycott. Blacks where treated unjust and often had to give up their seats to whites, and had to listen to racial slurs made by the bus driver. King like Thoreau, did not take a violent approach, he often used sit-ins and rallies to unite the black community (Encarta

Civil disobedience has been used to peacefully protest for change for decades. The idea that it is acceptable to rebel against injustice is one that is fundamental to the very start of our nation. The American Revolution, while not a non-violent rebellion, is an example of fighting for something that is believed to be right. It is from here that the idea of civil disobedience stemmed, and from here which it grew. Henry David Thoreau illustrated the need for civil disobedience when he said, “The authority of government… [,] to be strictly just must have the consent of the governed.” The changes that have been brought about by this kind of peaceful protest have changed our world for the better. I believe that civil disobedience is something that

Civil disobedience has been shown in a great amount of different ways throughout the years. Martin Luther king Jr. expressed his way of civil disobedience by taking direct action but in a calm way which was effective. He wanted the people to be aware of what was going on and open doors for better groups of people who weren't given the same rights as others. Henry David Thoreau on the other hand took action as well but in a different manner directly with the U.S. citizens and government because he wanted more individual rights for the people. Both had the same ideas but took action in different ways and at the end, ended up succeeding in their persuasive ways.

Civil disobedience has always been a popular way to refute an idea in society. The most famous person that encouraged civil disobedience was Mohandas Gandhi. Gandhi was famous for encouraging this behavior stating that “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Gandhi was a perfect example of how to deal with a life threatening problem in society: Oppose your unfair leaders with peace; simply disobey them, because in order for them to be “leaders” they need society. In order for them to be “leaders” they need a society that cooperates. If you take this away from unfair leaders, then they will crumble. The basic ideology behind civil disobedience that many get wrong is that there is a mutual relationship between political leaders

Civil disobedience is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as "a refusal to obey governmental commands especially as a nonviolent means of protest."(Jacobus) We can see an example of this in U.S. history, when this theory was applied during the Civil Right Movement. The laws back then restricted African Americans from being able to attend public schools or use public restrooms that were designated as "white only." Even though they had paid taxes like everyone else, these types of segregation laws targeted minorities and made them second-rate citizens. Martin Luther King, who was sincere in exposing

One could argue that civil disobedience is a way in which one can utilize their right to freedom of speech issued to them in the First Amendment of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights. The right to Freedom of speech indicates that the people can express their opinions, positive or negative, and not be punished by law. Henry David Thoreau practiced the act of civil disobedience in 1846 by refusing to pay poll taxes in protest of the Mexican War. While tax evasion is a felony, many could argue that Thoreau was only employing his First Amendment right. He was expressing his opinion on the United States' approval of slave ownership in the territories involved in the war by refusing to aid in the funding of the war. He later accepted his punishment of brief jail time, and went on to publish "Civil Disobedience" in 1849. In the infamous essay, Thoreau states his belief "That government is best which governs least". He continues by saying, "Witness the Mexican war, the work of comparatively a few individuals using the standing government as their tool; in the outset, the people would not have consented to this measure." In these quotes, Thoreau is claiming that the government should let the voice of

Civil disobedience, according to Henry David Thoreau in 1849, is the act of disapproving a law and accepting the concomitant consequences. Thoreau’s

Civil disobedience is the refusal to conform to a society or a set of laws. Civil disobedience has come a long way from its beginning. It has been developing and will continue for generations to come, as it is considered a duty of a person. The opinions and beliefs of civil disobedience cultured in our society by both Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr. are still present in our modern-day society; nevertheless, these opinions and beliefs still need to be expanded in order to keep up with the fast-growing population.

While growing up, our parents taught us what was right and what was wrong based on their beliefs and views. When we were younger, we were taught to follow and obey those who were older than us and possessed a higher authoritative status. One’s reasoning for being obedient includes: religious beliefs, background, and work ethics. Civil disobedience played a large role in America. Creating protests, riots, and sit-ins, America had many examples of disobedience. In America, we value our rights as citizens and individuals. We have the right to protest as stated in the first amendment of the United States Constitution, which is called Freedom of Speech. According to the Webster Dictionary, civil disobedience is said to be “the refusal to obey government demands or commands and nonresistance to consequent arrest and punishment.” Citizens are willing to accept the legal consequences associated with their disobedient actions. How does the law respond to people who engage in civil disobedience? Fining and jail time are the legal consequences enforced by authority but also there is a trend of change. I believe civil disobedience is justified simply by your own personal beliefs and the rights you attain as a citizen. The law is the law, if you disobey; the authoritative figure is responsible for giving a consequence.

Civil disobedience is the refusal to obey civil laws in an effort to induce change in governmental policy or legislation. Thoreau 's infamous ideas on "Civil Disobedience," written in 1849, have been monumental in the fight for change. It has helped influence change anywhere from the 1940s fight against Danish resistance, to the 1950s and McCarthyism. Thoreau 's words have helped lead the way to freedom. It has made the people of the world think about how they are being governed and how they are being treated. Thoreau 's message of freedom in “Civil Disobedience”, transcend his own time to be so influential to those throughout history for three main reasons which are that he is read around the world, it had to do with helping yourself, and he connected it to real life.

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the definition of civil disobedience is the “refusal to obey governmental demands or commands especially as a nonviolent and usually collective means of forcing concessions from the government.” Men such as Henry David Thoreau, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. have all used forms of civil disobedience and nonviolent protest to make changes in the world. These changes have made huge impacts on our societies and how we are able to live our everyday lives. Without these three men and their practice of civil disobedience, the world would be a very different place.

Civil disobedience is the refusal to comply with certain laws as a non-violent form of protest to bring change among these laws. Henry David Thoreau, a highly educated activist for equality during the 1800’s, did not believe in the war against Mexico in the 1840’s, in which he would not pay his taxes in spite of these feelings. His illustration of civil disobedience landed him in jail, where he wrote “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience”; an essay stating the human rights against the government of which they are under in the form of non-violent protest to change certain laws. Thoreau and the March on Washington, effectively illustrated civil disobedience to bring change upon everyday thought and law during the time in which the events occurred

I believe that peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society. It gives citizens the right to protest against what they believe is wrong without the use of violence. Although it is not right to purposefully break the law it is better to break the law in a peaceful way rather than in a way that could bring harm to other people. Civil disobedience commonly has to do with laws that conflict with people's moral beliefs.

Civil disobedience is the "refusal to obey governmental demands or commands especially as a nonviolent and usually collective means of forcing concessions from the government" as defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary. In my opinion, civil disobedience can both positively and negatively affect society-depending on the circumstances. For example, committing the act of civil disobedience in response to a war can help the government make better decisions based on this domestic feedback. Other forms of civil disobedience, such as disagreeing with the law against stealing, would not be helpful in anyway and would simply anger many people including police officers. The main difference between these two examples is the fact that one law is an understood

Civil disobedience is a form of political participation because it is a way make others see that change is wanted. In the Constitution it says “the right of the people peaceably to assemble”. The Constitution gives the people the right to protest, assemble peacefully, to oppose a law, and to criticize a law. Civil disobedience is the best way to show that you don’t agree with a law, government, or there is something you would like to protest.