On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (Version 2)

On the Duty of Civil Disobedience, originally published in 1849 by Henry David Thoreau, is a seminal essay advocating for individual resistance to unjust government actions. Thoreau argues that citizens must prioritize their conscience over compliance, particularly in the context of slavery and the Mexican-American War, which he vehemently opposed. This work is notable for its influence on civil rights movements and its foundational role in the philosophy of nonviolent protest.