The AP English Language and Composition course is designed to enable students to become skilled readers and writers in diverse genres and modes of composition. As stated in the Advanced Placement Course Description, the purpose of the Language and Composition course is “to enable students to read complex texts with understanding and to write papers of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers” (The College Board, May 2007, May 2008, p.6).
5. The historical background is based in a time when the slavery debate raged and a war was fought over Texas. Thoreau was no doubt upset over the small size and lack of influence the abolitionist movement had. He was probably upset that most people with moral objections to slavery were content with simply free soil: containing, but not ending slavery, just as Abraham Lincoln would espouse years later. He no doubt was upset that the US was fighting a war to induct a state into the union that would no doubt be a slave state.
11. Much of what Thoreau argues can be related to current wars. He argues that personal conscience trumps government goals, which is easily translated to modern times. Simply his assertion that government is not infallible is extremely important. During WWI and WWII and the Cold War, dissent was stifled because it was not considered patriotic. Far before this, Thoreau argues that patriotism is trumped by personal righteousness.
5. At that time, the Mexican American was occurring. Many Americans were opposed to this war as a whole. One of these people was Henry David Thoreau. He went to jail for refusing to pay his poll tax, the funds of which he knew would go to the Mexican American war, which he was against on principal. He spent a night in jail, and wrote this essay. He was also opposed on the grounds that any state accumulated in the Mexican American war would surely be inducted as a slave state, something Thoreau was also opposed to.
5. Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience" with the historical background with the controversy over slavery at the time. Seeing as Thoreau was an abolitionist he obviously had deep seeded emotions over the matter.
5. At the time that Thoreau wrote Civil Disobedience, the debate over slavery was prominent in American society, especially with the conflicts in the addition of new states. As a transcendentalist and abolitionist, Thoreau was obviously opposed to adding slave states and wished to further the abolitionist movement.
QUESTION 5: Thoreau wrote Civil Disobediance in the time of slavery, and being on the left, Thoreau was obviously angry about the lack of action taken by others and the small amount of abolitionists.
5. Thoreau was writing in a time where domestic and foreign policy were so closely intertwined with so called "moral" beliefs that the word had nearly lost its meaning. Slavery was still considered by many to be sanctioned by god and based on real reasoning while the majority simply had no real position on it. Thoreau despised those that felt that "moral" meant naturally beneficial.
5. Thoreau wrote Civil Disobedience based around his abolitionist views. He didn't like the idea of the government being manipulated to extend slavery (Mexican War).
11. Civil Disobedience is completely relevant in the present. Thoreau's mention of the army applies to the war we're in now. He says that they "serve the state" as "machines". He then mentions that the American government endeavors "to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity, but each instant losing some of its integrity" The US occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan exemplifies how the government continues to lose its integrity/morals.
11. Thoreau's poits about civil disobedience are completely relevent in the modern day. It was his belief that personal views are above those of the government.The Vietnam war clearly exemplifies government making decisions with horrible end results in order to further its own personal agenda.
5. Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience" immediately after the Mexican-American War, a conflict that many abolitionists saw as a way for the United States to bring slavery to territory once belonging to Mexico (namely Texas). Thoreau opposed both slavery and the war, and knew that his tax dollars would go towards "buy[ing] a man or a musket to shoot one with." To protest this, Thoreau refused to pay his poll tax, landing him in prison.
11. "Civil Disobedience" holds great relevance today. Many Americans are frustrated with the continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and, like Thoreau, are upset that such major decisions are left up to a relatively small group of people. Instead of serving their own consciences, Thoreau says, men in the military during the Mexican-American War were carrying out the wishes of those who hold power in the government. They are not really men, he argues, but "machines." Some might argue the same about the military of the present day.
Surely there must have been some historical context behind Civil Disobedience. The issue of slavery is present in his work, as he states his opinion on slavery, and how he dislikes the institution all together. Why should he then pay taxes to indirectly support the governmental issues he dislikes? Do we, as humans first and citizens second, have the right to say where our taxes are spent, and what they support? Thoreau explores this concept widely in Civil Disobedience. In Today’s society, or at least more contemporary history, Thoreau’s notions have been taken to heart, and have been used on countless occasions to express opinions. Antiwar rallies demonstrate themes in Civil Disobedience, as do protests for drafts and other unfavorable governmental actions. There comes a time when a government becomes destructive upon itself and its people; this is bound to happen, it is part of destiny for all ruling bodies. As Thoreau stated, “That government is best which governs very little.” As soon as a government grows, we surrender more of our natural rights under it.
5. When Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience" at a time in history when slavery had become a big dispute. It was also written following the Mexican-American war which also seemed to influence this piece of literature. Thoreau was outraged with the idea of slavery in general and did what he could to protest the government (refuse to pay taxes, go to jail, etc.)
11.Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" definitley has relevance throughout history and especially in recent history. Many protesters of the war take a great deal from Thoreau and do what they can to protest both the government and the actions of the government. He believes that if the government governs too much then we will ultimatley lose all of our rights no matter what race, religion, etc. we are.
5. Thoreau wrote Civil Disobedience during a time when the issue of slavery was still at large, especially following the Mexican-American war, where the question of Slavery in the new territory of Texas came into view. Thoreau was an abolitionist and strongly opposed the Mexican-American war, as it would surely bring yet another slave state into the US. Believing that his tax dollars were going to waste, Thoreau refused to pay them, which led to his imprisonment.
11. Thoreau's point can be related to modern times, especially with the People's frustrations with war. For example, the war in Iraq and the government's power over the public's different voices. Many other Civil Rights leaders also took from Thoreau's words, namely Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi. His collected opinion of "Civil Disobedience" is echoed in these leaders' actions.
5. Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience" as a response to the Mexican American war and the slavery in the country at the time. As an abolitionist, he did not want to support a war that would bring more slavery to the country, so he decided against paying his taxes. He was jailed for refusing to pay and this led him to write this essay in response to his feelings about government and slavery.
11. Thoreau discusses a point that was not only relevant to the time, but continues to be relevant. Anti-war feelings are not uncommon in the country today and many American's look to Thoreau's message as guidance in how to protest the war. His words not only speak to the specific situation but many other events since that spark similar feelings in people. He spreads a universal message of personal righteousness and staying true to oneself.
5. At the time Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience", slavery was a major issue in the U.S. As an abolitionist, he was opposed to this establishment and didn't want it to spread to Texas, which he was afraid it would do if it was brought into the U.S. as a new territory after the Mexican-American war.
11. The points that Thoreau makes in "Civil Disobedience" are completely related to the feelings of people in society today. Thoreau argued that the government made decisions as a small group for their own personal reasons rather than to support the people as a whole.
5. When Henry David Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience," slavery still existed. Thoreau was an abolitionist and as an abolitionist his personal opinions influenced his work. It also influenced his opinion on the Mexican-American war. Thoreau didn't approve of Texas becoming a state because everybody knew that it would add to the count of slave states in the south which would eventually lead the country to war against itself.
11. "Civil Disobedience," has a lot of relevance to today's society. It sets a template for how the American people should act in rebellion to the war and other things within the gov't that they do not agree with. This work has continued to be relevant to society from the time that it was written until now. He greatly influenced the Civil Rights' movement and Martin Luther King. He also influenced Ghandi who didn't even live in the United States.
5. Slavery was a big issue at the time that Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience", and caused a lot of controversy. Since he was an abolitionist, Thoreau's views and writing was influenced by these ideas, and he refused to pay money so that another state could be added to the slave states.
11. Thoreau's arguments in "Civil Disobedience" are still present in today's society, as many people refuse to conform because of their beliefs. People know what rights they have and continue to fight for what they want to change, just as Henry David Thoreau did.
5. The historical background is based in a time when the slavery debate raged and a war was fought over Texas. Thoreau was no doubt upset over the small size and lack of influence the abolitionist movement had. He was probably upset that most people with moral objections to slavery were content with simply free soil: containing, but not ending slavery, just as Abraham Lincoln would espouse years later. He no doubt was upset that the US was fighting a war to induct a state into the union that would no doubt be a slave state.
ReplyDelete11. Much of what Thoreau argues can be related to current wars. He argues that personal conscience trumps government goals, which is easily translated to modern times. Simply his assertion that government is not infallible is extremely important. During WWI and WWII and the Cold War, dissent was stifled because it was not considered patriotic. Far before this, Thoreau argues that patriotism is trumped by personal righteousness.
ReplyDelete5. At that time, the Mexican American was occurring. Many Americans were opposed to this war as a whole. One of these people was Henry David Thoreau. He went to jail for refusing to pay his poll tax, the funds of which he knew would go to the Mexican American war, which he was against on principal. He spent a night in jail, and wrote this essay. He was also opposed on the grounds that any state accumulated in the Mexican American war would surely be inducted as a slave state, something Thoreau was also opposed to.
ReplyDelete5. Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience" with the historical background with the controversy over slavery at the time. Seeing as Thoreau was an abolitionist he obviously had deep seeded emotions over the matter.
ReplyDelete5. At the time that Thoreau wrote Civil Disobedience, the debate over slavery was prominent in American society, especially with the conflicts in the addition of new states. As a transcendentalist and abolitionist, Thoreau was obviously opposed to adding slave states and wished to further the abolitionist movement.
ReplyDeleteQUESTION 5: Thoreau wrote Civil Disobediance in the time of slavery, and being on the left, Thoreau was obviously angry about the lack of action taken by others and the small amount of abolitionists.
ReplyDelete5.
ReplyDeleteThoreau was writing in a time where domestic and foreign policy were so closely intertwined with so called "moral" beliefs that the word had nearly lost its meaning. Slavery was still considered by many to be sanctioned by god and based on real reasoning while the majority simply had no real position on it. Thoreau despised those that felt that "moral" meant naturally beneficial.
5. Thoreau wrote Civil Disobedience based around his abolitionist views. He didn't like the idea of the government being manipulated to extend slavery (Mexican War).
ReplyDelete11. Civil Disobedience is completely relevant in the present. Thoreau's mention of the army applies to the war we're in now. He says that they "serve the state" as "machines". He then mentions that the American government endeavors "to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity, but each instant losing some of its integrity" The US occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan exemplifies how the government continues to lose its integrity/morals.
11. Thoreau's poits about civil disobedience are completely relevent in the modern day. It was his belief that personal views are above those of the government.The Vietnam war clearly exemplifies government making decisions with horrible end results in order to further its own personal agenda.
ReplyDelete5. Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience" immediately after the Mexican-American War, a conflict that many abolitionists saw as a way for the United States to bring slavery to territory once belonging to Mexico (namely Texas). Thoreau opposed both slavery and the war, and knew that his tax dollars would go towards "buy[ing] a man or a musket to shoot one with." To protest this, Thoreau refused to pay his poll tax, landing him in prison.
ReplyDelete11. "Civil Disobedience" holds great relevance today. Many Americans are frustrated with the continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and, like Thoreau, are upset that such major decisions are left up to a relatively small group of people. Instead of serving their own consciences, Thoreau says, men in the military during the Mexican-American War were carrying out the wishes of those who hold power in the government. They are not really men, he argues, but "machines." Some might argue the same about the military of the present day.
Surely there must have been some historical context behind Civil Disobedience. The issue of slavery is present in his work, as he states his opinion on slavery, and how he dislikes the institution all together. Why should he then pay taxes to indirectly support the governmental issues he dislikes? Do we, as humans first and citizens second, have the right to say where our taxes are spent, and what they support? Thoreau explores this concept widely in Civil Disobedience.
ReplyDeleteIn Today’s society, or at least more contemporary history, Thoreau’s notions have been taken to heart, and have been used on countless occasions to express opinions. Antiwar rallies demonstrate themes in Civil Disobedience, as do protests for drafts and other unfavorable governmental actions. There comes a time when a government becomes destructive upon itself and its people; this is bound to happen, it is part of destiny for all ruling bodies. As Thoreau stated, “That government is best which governs very little.” As soon as a government grows, we surrender more of our natural rights under it.
5. When Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience" at a time in history when slavery had become a big dispute. It was also written following the Mexican-American war which also seemed to influence this piece of literature. Thoreau was outraged with the idea of slavery in general and did what he could to protest the government (refuse to pay taxes, go to jail, etc.)
ReplyDelete11.Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" definitley has relevance throughout history and especially in recent history. Many protesters of the war take a great deal from Thoreau and do what they can to protest both the government and the actions of the government. He believes that if the government governs too much then we will ultimatley lose all of our rights no matter what race, religion, etc. we are.
5. Thoreau wrote Civil Disobedience during a time when the issue of slavery was still at large, especially following the Mexican-American war, where the question of Slavery in the new territory of Texas came into view. Thoreau was an abolitionist and strongly opposed the Mexican-American war, as it would surely bring yet another slave state into the US. Believing that his tax dollars were going to waste, Thoreau refused to pay them, which led to his imprisonment.
ReplyDelete11. Thoreau's point can be related to modern times, especially with the People's frustrations with war. For example, the war in Iraq and the government's power over the public's different voices. Many other Civil Rights leaders also took from Thoreau's words, namely Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi. His collected opinion of "Civil Disobedience" is echoed in these leaders' actions.
5. Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience" as a response to the Mexican American war and the slavery in the country at the time. As an abolitionist, he did not want to support a war that would bring more slavery to the country, so he decided against paying his taxes. He was jailed for refusing to pay and this led him to write this essay in response to his feelings about government and slavery.
ReplyDelete11. Thoreau discusses a point that was not only relevant to the time, but continues to be relevant. Anti-war feelings are not uncommon in the country today and many American's look to Thoreau's message as guidance in how to protest the war. His words not only speak to the specific situation but many other events since that spark similar feelings in people. He spreads a universal message of personal righteousness and staying true to oneself.
5. At the time Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience", slavery was a major issue in the U.S. As an abolitionist, he was opposed to this establishment and didn't want it to spread to Texas, which he was afraid it would do if it was brought into the U.S. as a new territory after the Mexican-American war.
ReplyDelete11. The points that Thoreau makes in "Civil Disobedience" are completely related to the feelings of people in society today. Thoreau argued that the government made decisions as a small group for their own personal reasons rather than to support the people as a whole.
5. When Henry David Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience," slavery still existed. Thoreau was an abolitionist and as an abolitionist his personal opinions influenced his work. It also influenced his opinion on the Mexican-American war. Thoreau didn't approve of Texas becoming a state because everybody knew that it would add to the count of slave states in the south which would eventually lead the country to war against itself.
ReplyDelete11. "Civil Disobedience," has a lot of relevance to today's society. It sets a template for how the American people should act in rebellion to the war and other things within the gov't that they do not agree with. This work has continued to be relevant to society from the time that it was written until now. He greatly influenced the Civil Rights' movement and Martin Luther King. He also influenced Ghandi who didn't even live in the United States.
5. Slavery was a big issue at the time that Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience", and caused a lot of controversy. Since he was an abolitionist, Thoreau's views and writing was influenced by these ideas, and he refused to pay money so that another state could be added to the slave states.
ReplyDelete11. Thoreau's arguments in "Civil Disobedience" are still present in today's society, as many people refuse to conform because of their beliefs. People know what rights they have and continue to fight for what they want to change, just as Henry David Thoreau did.