By this time, slavery is a very hotly debated issue in America, even eventually leading to the Civil War. Thoreau obviously takes the position against slavery and tries to use his writing to try and convince the citizens of America to stand up against slavery and the laws that protect it. Thoreau often writes of the injustice that the government displays towards its people. For example, Thoreau writes, “Why does it not encourage its citizens to be on the alert to point out its faults, and do better than it would have them?” (184). Thoreau’s purpose is to convince the citizens of America to not follow the majority, but do what is felt to be morally right.
Henry David Thoreau believed the government to be an unjust institution; he believed people should first do what they think is right, and not abide by the laws of the government. This meant at all cost Henry would not follow the laws formatted into the constitution,
Civil Disobedience is an essay by American transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau that was first published in 1849. He opens his piece with the saying “That government is best which governs least,” and he speaks in favor of government that does not interfere with men's lives. Thoreau asserts that because governments are typically more harmful than helpful, they therefore cannot be justified. He argues that people should not allow the government to weaken or override their consciences. He was mainly driven by his hatred with slavery and the Mexican-American War.
Who Do You Live For? Living through the motto “That government is best which governs least"; Henry Thoreau writes his three part essay “Civil Disobedience” to explain to readers his idea on the governmental issues he faced in his time (Thoreau 1.1). Criticizing the usefulness of the government to society Thoreau feels that instead of following rules set by the government men as a whole should stand up for what they believe is right. Written during the Mexican War, Thoreau states that man should base the rules of the government off what he feels is right rather than follow the laws set by the majority. Living under the impression that a wise minority will always overthrow the majority.
It does not settle the west. It does not educate.” Thoreau also uses powerful imagery in order to persuade his readers towards his ideals. He believed that one must be conscious of the laws they choose to obey and disobey, whether or not they are in the minority. The people should not be tricked into believing that neither the government nor the majority will know what is right and what is wrong. Instead, Thoreau remarks that it is up to every man to decide for himself what is right based on his moral standards and ethics.
Douglas developed his own doctrine of letting the people decide the question of slavery. He ridiculed Lincoln about his idea of state uniformity rather than domestic institutions and accused him of promoting a war of sectionalism. He also mocked “black Republicans” who he accused of demanding racial equality. Overall, he believed in the Southern interest, but supported popular sovereignty and ultimately alienated Southern voters. On the other hand Lincoln shared some Southern attitudes towards slaves as he agreed with the Dred Scott decision that slaves could not be citizens and refused to support the Fugitive Slave Law as well.
This essay will explain and analyze two essays by individuals who express entirely different opinions of civil disobedience. In his essay, “Civil Disobedience: Destroyer of Democracy”, Lewis H. Van Dusen strongly discourages the use of civil disobedience as a means for change. He feels that this act of disobedience directly contradicts our democratic system. The other individual being compared in this essay is Henry David Thoreau; who in his essay, “Civil Disobedience”, supports the act of peacefully challenging or protesting unjust laws. He impugns us to do what is morally right, and to not be afraid to take a stand against injustice.
This essay will be in an affirmative position in regard to Albert Einstein’s quote “nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced”. This quote means what’s the point in making a law when you can’t make sure that it’s enforced and upheld. Also it is saying that if the law isn’t respected. One of the reasons laws are put in place are to maintain a civil society. Therefore if laws are not respected we will lose a civil society and everything will turn to chaos.
“Civil Disobedience” Henry David Thoreau ENG 111 OE- Susan Booth Courtney Wood “Civil Disobedience” by Henry Thoreau discusses the importance of the individual rights while under a powerful and ruling government. He shows criticism toward American Social Institutions and policies, mostly criticizing slavery and the Mexican-American War. In the beginning of his essay, Henry Thoreau states that he believes the government rarely shows itself useful and only obtains its power from majority vote because they are the “strongest” group, not necessarily because their vote is correct. He goes on to say the peoples first obligations are to do what they think may be right and not to follow the ruling of the majority of the people. When governments
Alexander Hamilton once stated, "Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint." By saying this, Hamilton meant a government is required because people cannot make decisions based upon their instincts. The voice and thoughts of one are too irresponsible or unreasonable to make decisions. Mankind needs laws and obligations to live by, not only to keep peace but to protect ourselves from our basic nature.