Civil disobedience

Definition

Civil disobedience is the active, nonviolent refusal to obey certain laws or demands of a government or occupying power, usually as a form of protest against injustice. This concept emphasizes the moral obligation to resist unjust laws and has been a powerful tool in movements advocating for social change and equality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Henry David Thoreau's essay 'Civil Disobedience' argues that individuals should not permit governments to overrule or atrophy their consciences, encouraging people to resist unjust laws.
2. Thoreau famously refused to pay taxes as a form of protest against slavery and the Mexican-American War, leading to his brief imprisonment.
3. Civil disobedience has been pivotal in various social movements, including the civil rights movement led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., who drew inspiration from Thoreau's principles.
4. Emerson’s belief in self-reliance complements civil disobedience by advocating for individuals to trust their intuition and moral compass in the face of unjust authority.
5. The practice of civil disobedience aims to provoke change by highlighting injustices and sparking public dialogue about moral and ethical responsibilities in society.

Review Questions

• How does Thoreau's view on civil disobedience reflect Transcendentalist principles?
  • Thoreau's perspective on civil disobedience aligns closely with Transcendentalist principles, particularly the emphasis on individual conscience and moral integrity. He believed that individuals have a duty to act according to their personal beliefs rather than blindly following unjust laws. This reflects the Transcendentalist idea that true understanding and morality come from personal intuition and connection to a higher truth, which challenges societal norms that are deemed unjust.
• In what ways did Thoreau's act of refusing to pay taxes serve as an example of civil disobedience, and what impact did it have on his community?
  • Thoreau's refusal to pay taxes was a deliberate act of civil disobedience aimed at protesting slavery and the government's actions during the Mexican-American War. His imprisonment for this act highlighted the moral conflict between individual conscience and governmental authority. This event inspired others in his community and beyond to consider their own roles in opposing injustice, fostering discussions on the importance of standing up against unethical government practices.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of Thoreau's civil disobedience philosophy on social justice movements in America.
  • Thoreau's philosophy of civil disobedience has had profound long-term effects on social justice movements in America, influencing key figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. His ideas about nonviolent resistance became foundational principles for advocating for civil rights, environmental justice, and anti-war protests. The legacy of Thoreau's teachings is evident in the way modern movements continue to employ civil disobedience as a strategic tool for highlighting injustices and mobilizing communities for change.

Related terms

Transcendentalism:

A philosophical movement that emerged in the 1830s and 1840s, emphasizing the inherent goodness of people and nature, as well as individual intuition and spirituality.

Nonviolent Resistance: A method of protest that seeks to achieve social change without using violence, often through peaceful demonstrations, sit-ins, and other forms of civil disobedience.

Moral Law: A philosophical concept that refers to the principles of right and wrong behavior, often considered universal and applicable regardless of societal laws.