Civil Disobedience Henry David Thoreau

Warm-Up Think of groups who have been discriminated against throughout history. Why do some people obey laws without asking if the laws are just or unjust? What does the term “Civil Disobedience” mean to you? Can you think of any examples of civil disobedience?

Civil Disobedience Only unlawful non-violent protests are considered civil disobedience. Violent actions are not civil disobedience, even when fighting against unjust or immoral laws Public protests intended to serve broad public interest, not individual self interest

Non-violent Movements Indian Independence Civil Rights Anti-Vietnam War Occupy Wall Street

Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862 Essayist, poet, Transcendentalist Went to Harvard Went to chapel in a green coat “because the rules required black” Wrote Walden and “Civil Disobedience” Refused to pay his poll tax Lived on Emerson’s property near Walden Pond for two years.

Civil Disobedience Thoreau questions the government’s right to : Tell him what to do Tax him, especially when the taxes were for policies with which he disagreed In 1846 Thoreau put his beliefs into action by refusing to pay his poll taxes For this passive resistance, Thoreau spent one night in jail