Henry David Thoreau “Civil Disobedience”

Two quotes that sum up“Civil Disobedience”

• “It is every citizen’s moral obligation to resist immoral acts of government.”

• “Do what you know to be right, and accept the consequences of your actions.”

What got Thoreau fired up?

• opposition to the Mexican War• it is not enough just to not take

part, you have to do something to stop it

• taxes -- Thoreau refused to pay taxes that would help fund the war

• arrested and spent time in jail

Lessons Thoreau would want us to learn from his

experience• Opposition to government -- don’t

trust the government to make decisions for you

• Don’t believe the government has your individual interest in mind

Mohandas Gandhi

• passive resistance• non-violence

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

• non-violence• “Letter From a

Birmingham Jail”