Civil Disobedience Dbq

The United States of America would be a different place without civil disobedience. Breaking the rules is usually considered wrong; however, sometimes there are exemptions to these rules, to fight for a good cause. Much of history was made through civil disobedience. Without it, we would still have slavery. We would have an overpowering government.

“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance” (Wendell Phillips), and requires every citizen to act as a watchdog for their government. As demonstrated in the past, sometimes morally abhorrent legislation is passed and action is taken in opposition to the will of the people. In these instances, civil disobedience positively impacts a free society, but should be used a “last resource” (qtd. in Mirkin “Rebellion, Revolution, and the Constitution”), less one endangers the rule of law. Civil disobedience —with varying civility— has been apart of the American tradition predating the War for Independence and starting with refusal to obey the Townshend and the Intolerable Acts.

People have always found ways to show their disapproval of governmental decisions and took action into it. Civil disobedience is the refusal to obey laws, without using violence. Uncivil disobedience is the refusal to obey laws, using violence. Civil disobedience is more effective in the case of Martin Luther King Junior, the walk-outs, and the sit-ins. Civil disobedience is effective because protesters will not kill anyone so, fewer lives are lost and because it shows that non-violence demonstrates strength.

Civil disobedience is the basis of modern-day laws and equality. The government is, ideally, supposed to work like a well-oiled machine. The different branches of government balance each other out in terms of power, and each branch is supposed to work efficiently. Even so, there are different problems that are encountered when trying to reach the end goal, to serve the people.

Civil disobedience is a way for people to express themselves on issues that are problematic to society in a peaceful matter. In developed countries like the United States, people have the freedom and a right to be civil disobedience and do so for a better change. Some may see it as a disrespectful way to disrupt the peace and in many communities. It is a dispute between it being right or wrong. Some feel like the power is being taken away from them and they need to do something about it but not cause a scene or disrupt anyone in any way, I believe people have the right to do this because I don't see the problem in someone speaking up something wrong.

The formal definition of civil disobedience is any act or process of public defiance of a law or policy enforced by established governmental authorities. The term disobedient generally means to defy, or for the "normal" to be disobeyed. The term "normal" from one person to the next may be different. I believe that Freedom of Speech intervenes to a point. When a law is set, it is understandable that that law must be obeyed.

Peaceful or violent resistance? If one day you found a discriminating law you have to do something to change. To do that you have different types the violent and the nonviolent one. One type of peaceful resistance is the civil disobedience.

Civil Disobedience Can breaking the law ever be justified? Yes, as long as it is for a cause. Civil disobedience is the disobeying of a law to improve a moral principal. We have the right to protest and speak out when there is an unjust law. This is our right of freedom of speech and expression.

Civil disobedience has always been a positive impact on a free society. It is a necessary freedom. We have seen in the past that it has made nothing but great changes. It has given me, and millions of other people countless opportunities. All of the people who have practiced civil disobedience have made revolutionary changes to our government.

I believe that civil disobedience is good for the advancement of the American society. This a simple fact which has been proven many times by history all around the world. A few examples of important historical participants and leaders in civil disobedience include Mohandas Gandhi, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and much more. Mohandas Gandhi was an Indian man who spent his life protesting the unjust anti-Indian law in Britan using, you guessed it, civil disobedience. Most importantly on March 30, 1930, when he lead a defiance march to the sea.

Historically, America has always been a land of rebellious individuals. Since inception, the idea of being subordinated into compliance never set well with the rugged individual spirit. The protests escalated from the stubborn refusal of paying taxes, but the message still remains: controlled protests have paved the way for increased political conversation and improved democracy, despite the claim that it is too rebellious. As a young nation, many elements of government and civilian life continually evolve. Increasing discussion on these issues leads to a better relationship between the people and the government.

In modern society, it is the government’s duty to protect the people’s rights and represent their interests by creating laws. The people elect representatives to vouch for their interests and pass laws that reflect their beliefs. However, some laws or governmental actions can still be unjust and the most effective way to bring attention to the issue is through civil disobedience. Resisting unfair laws brings attention to the problem and causes meaningful changes which originate from the people themselves. Peaceful resistance to laws makes a positive impact on society because it spreads awareness about important messages and energizes dynamic movements.

Civil disobediences are nonviolent actions or protests that violates the law. People will normally do this when they believe that the government is unjust in the treatment of people. The protests and nonviolent actions are reciprocal reaction to the government to showcase the citizens’ need for justice and equality. The act of civil disobedience requires a lot of patience, bravery, and pain to go against the law in hope of seeing a change. Martin Luther King Jr is well known for his demonstrations of civil disobediences.

A Moral Justification of Civil Disobedience Democracy is the cornerstone of American society and was founded on the belief that each individual ought to have a say in the way they are governed. In the early 1960’s, many inequities in the system existed that inhibited justice in light of the law. Consequently, one’s political voice may not have been heard in the conventional manners of voting and petitioning elected officials. Through unconventional means, King writes, “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” a passionate letter that responds to the criticism of clergymen and appeals to people, both white and black, to encourage solidarity among all. Hence, I will explain the nature and purpose of civil disobedience as it relates to the injustices of