1. Civil Disobedience & from Resistance to Civil Government

2. Civil Disobedience Coined by Thoreau when he chose to disobey a law
Thoreau, MLK Jr., Ghandi

3. Civil Disobedience
Logical appeals – facts, examples and well- reasoned arguments
Ethical – based on widely accepted morals and values
Emotional – Language and anecdotes that arouse strong feelings (Talking about a common experience)

4. Resistance to Civil Government
Many Americans believed that we had provoked the Mexican War in order to expand slaveholding territories.
Thoreau was protesting this war at the time of his arrest

5. From Resistance to Civil Government
Paradox – Statements that express the complexity of life by showing how opposing ideas can be both contradictory and true at the same time
"The swiftest traveler is he that goes afoot." (Henry David Thoreau, Walden)
The less you have the more free you are. - Ivan Illich

6. Resistance to Civil Government
“That government is best which governs least…”
In an ideal world, people would not need governments at all
Logical appeal
Can there be, simultaneously, a government and no government?

7. Resistance to Civil Government
Because a standing government, is like a standing army, it should be disbanded
Government is manipulated by few, and effects many.

8. Resistance to Civil Government
Government = a wooden gun
The government is not as forceful as one individual and accomplishes nothing on its own (logical appeal)
“It does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate.” (emotional appeal)

9. Resistance to Civil Government
Thoreau asks for a better government
Have man choose their own government that suits them
Thoreau is assuming that people will voice their opinion

10. Resistance to Civil Government
Men say they would like to be sent to Mexico to help the slaves, but they send someone else to do that.
These same men buy tobacco products and cotton, which supports the slave owners
These same men pay taxes, which support the war

11. Resistance to Civil Government
Thoreau believes one HONEST man can inspire others
Thoreau describes himself as the common taxpayer (emotional appeal)

12. Resistance to Civil Government
Paradox
Thoreau is in prison and even though his body is imprisoned, his mind and convictions are free

13. Resistance to Civil Government
Paradox
Thoreau assumes that the men in prison are HONEST men because he is in jail for being honest he assumes the same of others

14. Resistance to Civil Government
Civil Disobedience
Thoreau agrees to follow laws that only he has agreed to
In any other circumstances, he is free to disobey

15. Resistance to Civil Government
Persuasive techniques/ ethical appeal
Thoreau’s main argument appeals to the assumption held by many
Government was formed by an absolute monarchy and that it can improve by focusing on the individual

16. Resistance to Civil Government
Paradox
Citizens live “aloof” from government and still fulfill the duties of “neighbors and fellow men”
People can refuse to pay certain taxes and not receive certain governmental benefits, but they still are an honest and patriotic citizen