Slavery and Abolotionism
One of the most prominent features of America in the 1800s was slavery. It led to the civil war, and it created some of the largest acts of civil disobedience, such as violence from both abolitionists and slave owners, and rebellions from slaves. One of the most common ways for slaves to rebel was to run away. Abolitionists supported this and often made propaganda encouraging rebellion. However, this infuriated slave owners who were seeing their property run away to such an extent, that they put up rewards for the capture and return of their slaves. Below is one instance of this. (A Runaway)
If one HONEST man, in this State of Massachusetts, ceasing to hold slaves, were actually to withdraw from this copartnership, and be locked up in the county jail therefor, it would be the abolition of slavery in America. For it matters not how small the beginning may seem to be: what is once well done is done forever. |
Henry David Thoreau wrote Civil Disobedience in 1849 after being thrown in jail for not paying his poll tax. Thoreau disliked slavery and the Mexican American War. In his essay, Civil Disobedience, he explores the idea of not supporting the government, if the government is doing something you disapprove of. Thoreau's essay was the first time someone defined civil disobedience and explained why it is okay to do it. (Thoreau, Henry David)
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Above, created by Albert Berghaus who was a sketch artist for the Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, is a drawing of John Brown being brought to his execution. John Brown was considered an extremist and murderer by southerners for raiding a federal armory in Harper's Ferry in hopes of starting a slave rebellion. After Brown's death, abolitionists viewed him as a martyr, due to the respectable composure and patriotism he showed during his trial. The various reactions to John Brown's actions show how acts of civil disobedience can be received differently based on someone's point of view. (Berghaus, Albert)
Civil War
Above is an article published by the Charleston Mercury spreading the news that South Carolina had seceded from the union. South Carolina was soon followed by more states and they created the Confederate states of America. This act of seceding from the United States of America and creating a new country is one of the most notable acts of civil disobedience in American History. The following Civil War was fought because of this act of civil disobedience. ("The Union Is Dissolved.")
Plainly the central idea of secession is the essence of anarchy. Above is a quote from Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address and Left is a picture of Abraham Lincoln on the battlefield of Antietam. The majority of the time, acts of civil disobedience are met with a government response. After the battle of Antietam, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, the main reason was to generate more support for the war, but another purpose of it was to punish the south for its actions.
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