Legal And Social Changes In American History

The first reason why I think civil disobedience us ineffective is because it takes a really long time. For example, it took 27 years for Mahatma Gandhi to earn India its independence (“Gandhi Leads Civil Disobedience” 1). For most people, waiting 27 years for your country to earn

Civil disobedience has been used to peacefully protest for change for decades. The idea that it is acceptable to rebel against injustice is one that is fundamental to the very start of our nation. The American Revolution, while not a non-violent rebellion, is an example of fighting for something that is believed to be right. It is from here that the idea of civil disobedience stemmed, and from here which it grew. Henry David Thoreau illustrated the need for civil disobedience when he said, “The authority of government… [,] to be strictly just must have the consent of the governed.” The changes that have been brought about by this kind of peaceful protest have changed our world for the better. I believe that civil disobedience is something that

Civil disobedience is present in our day to day lives. During the civil rights protests occurring in Birmingham, AL, Eugene Connor was the Commissioner of Public Safety who publicly attacked African Americans with fire hoses and dogs. The Boston Tea Party was a rebellion which led to major tax reformation. Another moment in history of disobedience would be the Civil Rights movement. Oscar Wilde claims social progress is promoted through disobedience and rebellion which is valid.

Civil disobedience has been shown in a great amount of different ways throughout the years. Martin Luther king Jr. expressed his way of civil disobedience by taking direct action but in a calm way which was effective. He wanted the people to be aware of what was going on and open doors for better groups of people who weren't given the same rights as others. Henry David Thoreau on the other hand took action as well but in a different manner directly with the U.S. citizens and government because he wanted more individual rights for the people. Both had the same ideas but took action in different ways and at the end, ended up succeeding in their persuasive ways.

The  Civil Rights Movement is a substantial example of civil disobedience for the reason that  they were peacefully protesting while accepting their consequences.  On the other hand, people today believe that they're protesting peacefully however, peace can lead to violence and take away the credibility of their cause. Causing destruction in their community, where civil disobedience impacts society negatively because the situations get out of hand that cause chaotic cases which involves brutality.

From Cherokee Indians refusing to abandon their homes in 1838 to the Sit-ins of the civil rIghts movement in the early 1960s, people have been using acts of civil disobedience to stand against injustice they saw in their communities. Although there are many examples of people abusing this benefit and causing more grief and shame than progress, many have used it to their advantage to bring about positive change for the greater good of society, therefore acts of civil disobedience can positively impact a free society if they remain peaceful, respectful, and justified.

Civil disobedience is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as "a refusal to obey governmental commands especially as a nonviolent means of protest."(Jacobus) We can see an example of this in U.S. history, when this theory was applied during the Civil Right Movement. The laws back then restricted African Americans from being able to attend public schools or use public restrooms that were designated as "white only." Even though they had paid taxes like everyone else, these types of segregation laws targeted minorities and made them second-rate citizens. Martin Luther King, who was sincere in exposing

If we take a closer look at civil disobedience, we can better understand what it means, its goals, and its outcomes. Civil disobedience predominantly exists as direct and non-violent government defiance. Instead of voicing an opinion with a vote or a simple conversation, civil disobedience stands up for what is right using an individual’s whole influence. Therefore, some sacrifices regarding the legality of actions are made in order to preserve the integrity of the mission. In other words, why should a protester follow the law that they are trying to alter? That doesn’t make much sense, therefore civil disobedience allows unjust laws to be broken for the greater good. This method is very effective if, for example, a minority is attempting to

Typically, when civil disobedience comes up, we look to the long line of heroes who put their lives on the line to help define what civil disobedience meant and how it could be successfully used in order to effect change. Gandhi, Susan B. Anthony, M.L. King and Mandela, are among the many men and women who fought great injustices in the past by taking a stand and calling attention to an unjust law. They used civil disobedience against the established order of things as a tool to not only

Throughout history Civil Disobedience has had nothing but positive impacts for our nation. The people are trying to improve the government the only way they know how. In 1847 Henry David Thoreau, a philosopher, wrote in his essay on civil disobedience “I ask, for not at once no government, but at once a better government.” A great example for a leap for rights would be the Montgomery Bus Boycott. On December 5th of 1955, African Americans took a vow not to take the bus as a silent and peaceful protest for segregation seating, this lasted 381 days. Finally, the U.S Supreme Court integrated their bus system. The boycott was only the start of the American Civil Rights Movement. Segregation was a big problem that we don't see much these days because people

There are many examples of civil disobedience. One of which is the story about Cesar Chavez. Along with how he stated The United Farm Workers

Civil disobedience is possibly the most influential form of protest in order to change of laws. Throughout our nation's history there have been multiple examples where the people would disobey the regular norms of society to force a change in law. Even when we started off as colonist, the people refused to pay unjust taxes on British imported goods just so Great Britain could pay for their costs on the Seven Years' War. The people or the colonist, as I should say, thought it was unfair for the them be taxed as they had no representation in England to represent the people. Another peaceful protest would be the sit-ins at Woolworth. At this event, young African Americans went to a diner and sat at the front counter. This would never happen because

While it is hard to see its success in more recent issues, events in the past show the positive changes to society that civil disobedience can cause. Once again, Susan B. Anthony’s campaign for women’s suffrage is a prime example. She was willing to fight against the law even after she was arrested. When the nineteenth amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote, it was given the nickname of the Susan B. Anthony Amendment due to her sacrifices to make it possible. Personally, I am not sure I would have the courage to accept the risks of committing civil disobedience.

Civil disobedience is an important part of shaping our societies positively to object to unjust laws or to protest against what we deem to be unfair. Throughout the history of the United States, there have been many who used civil disobedience to protest and bring about change. One of the most famous examples would be Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. who used nonviolent protest to fight for civil rights for African Americans. Maybe Muhammad Ali comes to mind when you think of civil disobedience as he refused to join the draft to protest the Vietnam war. Just maybe the most recent example of Edward Snowden is what you think of who revealed just how much the government is watching us.

In my opinion, civil disobedience through peaceful resistance to laws and regulations has many positive effect on our free society. Civil disobedience is good when it is used to better society when things are getting out of hand for far too long, such as the peace walks of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Although their movement wasn't liked by some people, and it caused many more hardships for the people who had been suffering for so long, it also let people know there was a problem, and that there was something that needed to be done about it. Many people were killed and houses were destroyed for their attempts for equality through peace, but we would not have gotten to where we are today without their