Henry David Thoreau, was one of the pioneers of modern political thought in the history of America claimed that as an American citizen, it was the duty of all Americans to come together and resist unjust laws and prevent oppression of fellow Americans. Thoreau’s political thoughts and writings took the American society by storm, as he highlighted the evils of slavery, claiming it to be an abomination of humanity. His philosophical thoughts and political devices have been implemented multiple times by eminent political thinkers and philosophers, and he made the concept of ‘Civil Disobedience’ as a popular form of protest again oppression perpetrated against humanity. He has influenced several modern philosophers and political thinkers, such as Martin Luther and Mahatma Gandhi, who adopted his policy of Civil Disobedience during India’s Freedom struggle against the British rule.
Further Explanation:
An American Journalist and Poet, Henry David Thoreau was one of the most prolific writers in the history of modern America. His political stance against the continuation of slavery in the Southern States gave the free states a voice against slavery and the continued oppression of humanity, to which the slaves were subjected to. Although his political arguments rose from a humanitarian stance, the issue of slavery soon snowballed into a massive political issue that almost destroyed the union of the United States of America. Thoreau’s experience of misery was first- hand when he saw the oppression and dejection that prevailed among the workers. Thoreau’s personal experiences shaped his political thoughts and opinions, such as his residence at Walden Pond as his brief clash with the United States’ authorities after refusing to pay a poll tax. His strong stance against Mexican- American war and refusing to comply with governmental policies without individual thought has shaped modern political thought even till the postmodern times.
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Answer Details:
Grade: High School
Chapter: Origins of the Civil Disobedience
Subject: History
Keywords:
Oppression, slavery, resistance, civil war, separatist, individual thought, formulation of individual opinions, civil disobedience.