from+Civil+Disobedience

=from //Civil Disobedience//=

by Henry David Thoreau
The entire work of //Civil Disobedience//: http://www.cs.indiana.edu/statecraft/civ.dis.html

As Thoreau and other Americans opposed the Mexican War (a conflict between the two neighboring countries of Mexico and the United States of America that started from a border dipute), //Civil Disobedience// was a piece that was meant to urge people to resist government policies. The author felt that the government was only executed for a few individuals, particuarly President Polk, and not for all the people. He also argues that the government doesn't do anything for its people, but people do the things for the people (i.e educate, keep people free, and settle). Thoreau believes that the government is not doing what is in the best interest of both the nation and its people. He uses great examples to help expose the governments faults in some of its decisions. Also, he shows how the government is not complying with what it orginally set out to do, be a government for the people and by the people.
 * Purpose:**

> > ==="That government is best which governs least." "That government is best which governs not at all."=== > > The mottos help the reader clearly understand what Thoreau is arguing as he cites the Mexican War as an example. >
 * Techniques:**
 * Thoreau begins the passage with two Mottos:
 * No colorful language: helps the reader clearly understand Thoreau's argument
 * Persuasive arguments: cites a crucial example, the Mexican War
 * No sarcasm to divert the reader: makes his point seem understandable
 * Uses a mixture of both opinion and fact to persuade the reader

"Government is best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient." > Felt that governments lose some of their integrity: > "It has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will. It is a sort of wooden gun to the people themselves; and, if ever they should use it in earnest as a real one against each other, it will surely split." > "Governments show thus how successfully men can be imposed on, even impose on themselves, for their own advantage." > > >
 * Themes:**
 * Government and what is ideal
 * Integrity within government

> Go to Walden