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Civil Disobedience Summary

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Summary: The purpose of “Civil Disobedience” was to open people’s eyes to the injustices committed by the government and to cause them to do something about it. Thoreau talks about how the American government is by definition unjust due to its support of slavery and the Mexican War and how change is needed very soon. He warned to “not at once [have] no government, but at once a better government.” in order to make it clear that he was not calling for a revolution, but a reform of the government. In the very beginning, Thoreau says that he believes “That government is best which governs least.” because the American government has made it so that the majority has all the power, even if they use their power to commit injustices. Thoreau wanted

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