... Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., wrote these powerful words from his jail cell, in response to a criticism from white clergymen in Alabama. A firm believer in nonviolence and civil disobedience, King drew on the teachings of philosophers and writers before him, such as Henry David Thoreau. Like King, Thoreau believed that the most effective way to go about attaining one's moral goals was to ... engage in "Civil Disobedience," which, appropriately, is the name of Thoreau's essay regarding this issue written in 1849. The idea of "just" and "unjust" laws became a central theme throughout both K...

• Word Count: 1210
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

"In Civil Disobedience", Henry David Thoreau, stresses on the true importance of the individual and his power to alter governmental injustices. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in "Letter from Birmingham Jail", places strong emphasis on direct action to impose reform, while promoting the equalization of rights for all individuals. Both ... honesty in his words, provoking not only a great appeal but a desire to continue acknowledging his words. Then we have Thoreau with his wide variety of ethics and morals, that although are appealing to a certain extent, contain a slightly pretentious feel, radi...

• Word Count: 808
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... attracted 25,000 marchers; within two years, similar demonstrations drew several hundred thousand participants in Washington, DC, London, and other major capitals. Most of the demonstrations were peaceful, though acts of civil disobedience intended to provoke arrest were common. Much of the imputes for the antiwar protests came from college students. Objections to the military draft led some protesters to burn their draft cards and ... . His decision to invade Cambodia in 1970 led to massive demonstrations on college campuses, most tragically at Kent State University. where four people w...

• Word Count: 4042
• Approx Pages: 16
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School