Civil Disobedience

In Henry Thoreau’s essay, Resistance to Civil Government (Civil Disobedience), he explains his reasoning for refusing to pay this tax and his views on government and why it must be resisted. He looks at the importance of justice, morality and conscious of an individual. Thoreau argues that people shouldn’t let the government overrule and that it is the duty of the people to allow the government to act with injustice. Thoreau believes that was government exists in America because of tradition, and because it was practical.

The Declaration of Independence was written to request independence from Great Britain under the rule of King George III. Much like Thoreau’s essay, the settlers were trying to resist the government that was being imposed on them. The role of resistance is in place to shape and consider the will of the people. The Declaration of Independence served as the settler’s first attempt at creating a democracy, where the power would lie in the hands of the people. Resistance to democracy is important because everyone would be forced to believe the same thing. A government that has resistance allows people the freedom of thought, which is what helps to shape and enforce a democracy. It allows citizens to live freely under an established government where everything is considered “fair and balanced.”