Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Biographies Henry David Thoreau and Transcendatalism Henry David Thoreau and Transcendatalism Henry David Thoreau harbored many anarchist thoughts toward government of the decades before the Civil War, which he about in the essay, "Civil Disobedience", which, in fact called "Resistance to Civil Government", giving the essay a that would not only reflect Thoreau's own views toward the also give the essay a powerful anti-slavery message, as whole idea of Civil Rights, as well as shape the leaders of In examining the essay, "Civil Disobedience", we must also into the reasoning of the essay. Henry David Thoreau lived small cabin he had built in Walden. Thoreau thought paying wrong in principal, "Thoreau declares that he cannot American government, because it is a slave's government" Thoreau jails himself after being asked about taxes by the Concord, Sam Staples, a friend of Thoreau. Thoreau refuses and is only released after some family member pays the tax is infuriated that someone would pay his tax for him after Thoreau refuses to pay taxes due to their use in the declares "Mexican war, the work of comparatively a few standing government as their tool." Thoreau, "gives 'civil urgency... as a result of the leadership of imperialists James Polk and Southern planters who were determined to add their cotton culture, was making war on Mexico and would territory" (Smith, 60). The action of the government is monarchy to Thoreau. "Witness the present Mexican war, the comparatively few individuals," (Thoreau, 1). Thoreau Transcendentalist though of self-reliance. Thoreau also, "questions the personal morality involved in the Mexican 69). In "Civil Disobedience", we can see the stark attitude of the state and Toreau's own views. Thoreau explains why slavery is a moral evil. Thoreau only the principle behind slavery, "he knew no Negroes, had slightest social oppression, but was a radical Thoreau was a staunch supporter of John Brown, and went as his death at Harper's Ferry. Thoreau influenced many Rights movements. "Thoreau's essay is a noble ringing highest religious individualism as a self-evident social The essay also had a power with great minds who were of oppressive governments. It has been well documented that were both affected by the essay in threir quest for civil Gandhi, as a young leader of the oppressed Indians in South looking for a political strategy by which to resist a government." (Hildebidle, 74) "Civil Disobedience" gives message about speaking out about what you believe in. "For problem is simply of putting the highest possible value on rather than on the state," (Salt, 174). Again, Thoreau the reader, to think of what is good for himself or John F. Kennedy said in his inauguration speech, "Ask not can do for you, but what you can do for your country." This expresses many values a person may have towards an action, Thoreau has this to say about the government, "It does not free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate." Bibliography: Hildebidle, John. "The Eye and hand of Thoreau," The Chelsea House Library of Literary Criticism. New York. Pgs 4366-4390 Salt, Henry S. The Chelsea House Library of Literary Criticism. New York. Pgs 4690-4691 Smith, Frederick M. "Thoreau" The Chelsea House Library of Literary Criticism. New York. Pgs 4691-4704 About.com. Http://www.about.com/Transcendentalism Word Count: 615
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