Thoreau was the beginning platform for his move into civil disobedience in 1848. Unlike other freedom fighters, Thoreau was not racially oppressed by anyone. He honestly believed that a composed government was a root of man's problems. With the adopted motto, Thoreau's desire was to see it acted upon, and become a stronger version of what he wanted.. His goal was to see a government that followed his idea of "`government is best which governs not at all.' And when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government they will have."7 Thoreau saw no need for a government that supported slavery, and would not put an end to it. He believed that people who are waiting for the laws of their nation to justly free them are wasting their time. "The law, will never make men free; it is the men who have got to make the law free."8 Thoreau, unlike others was not promoting non-violence. He was an anarchist who was opposed to any form of government. Henry Thoreau did not have a following behind him, he had to begin on his own, gradually convincing people to give support his ideals. He knew that there were others in society who had beliefs not unlike his own. The slavery that was taking place bothered other people as well, the difference was, that they were not prepared to suffer or stand up for the rights of others.There are thousands who are in opinion opposedto slavery and to the war, who yet in effect do nothing to put an end to them; who, esteeming themselves children of Washington and Franklin, sit down with their hands in their pockets, and say that they know not what to do, and donothing; who even postpone the question of freedomto the question of free trade. . . . They hesitate, andthey regret, and sometimes they petition; but they do nothing in earnest and with effect. They will wait, well disposed, for others to remedy the evil, that they may no longer have it to regret. At most, they give only a cheap vote, and a fe...
