Thoreau Civil Disobedience Analysis

Henry David Thoreau, an American author, poet, philosopher and abolitionist who dedicated his life studying and preaching his philosophical and naturalist writings. Through this experience Thoreau wrote about his life experiences and his views on how the government should be ran.

In 1817 Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord Massachusetts. While living with his family Thoreau drove his mother 's cow to the pastures where he became interested in certain aspects of nature and of certain delights of solitude. Later in life Thoreau studied at Harvard University, where he mastered in Greek and Latin languages. During the 1840’s Thoreau gained a friendship and mentor, whose name is Ralph Waldo Emerson who is also a poet. While working with Emerson

In this instance, Thoreau, explains civil disobedience as a strategy for achieving one’s beliefs. Also the conscience decision to refuse to obey the laws, commands, and demands of the government. Continuing, Thoreau explains how he believes society should be and what the government should be. This includes having a sense of rightness and moral conscience. Defining the use of the word conscience in this case is a complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual. The reason behind this essay was to show his views on how one’s own conscience should dictate over laws that are unjust in nature and should act on one’s own moral opinions. Furthermore, Thoreau criticizes the methods behind the American social institutions and their policies. Thoreau uses his personnel experience to demonstrate civil

Thoreau uses the Mexican American War as the example of civil disobedience within the government. He claims the will of the people is no longer a priority for the government. Since the governments supports slavery and its practice of aggressive war. Thoreau states this fits his criteria for an unjust government. After six years of Thoreau not paying his taxes, which is him no longer participating in the institution he is arrested. He was not paying his taxes because he felt the poll tax was supporting the Mexican American War and the expansion of slavery in the West. Although, it was found out the poll tax had nothing to do directly with war appropriations. After being released from jail, he wanted to stay imprisoned to make the public aware of the issues surrounding the ensuing