Henry Thoreau and Civil Disobedience

According to Thoreau, the majority generally rules in a democracy because it is the

• a. most intelligent.

• b. strongest.

• c. most expedient.

• d. fairest.

2. In Thoreau’s view, which man exemplifies “undue respect for law”?

• a. a soldier

• b. a farmer

• c. a reformer

• d. a martyr

3. Practically speaking, Thoreau would most likely want

• a. no government.

• b. a totalitarian government.

• c. a strong central government.

• d. a weak central government.

4. Thoreau says that the only obligation he has to assume is to

• a. support the government.

• b. obey all laws.

• c. do what he thinks is right.

• d. accept the majority rule.

5. What was Thoreau's view on slavery?

• (A) Slavery was a necessary evil given the American economy.

• (B) Slavery must be preserved because it is protected in the American Constitution.

• (C) Slavery is morally desirable because of the inherent inferiority of blacks.

• (D) Slavery is a moral evil that should be eliminated.

6. What was Thoreau's primary act of civil disobedience in his own life?

• (A) Public rallies and protests

• (B) Refusal to pay taxes

• (C) Destruction of public property

• (D) All of the above

7. In Thoreau's opinion, what is the appropriate way to respond to unjust laws?

• (A) One must be content to obey them.

• (B) One must try to change the laws but obey them until they're changed.

• (C) One must obey them as long as it is politically expedient.

• (D) One must disobey the laws at once.

8. Which philosophy is Thoreau most closely associated with?

• (A) Transcendentalism

• (B) Utilitarianism

• (C) Empiricism

• (D) Pragmatism

9. Which of the following leaders did Thoreau's essay have the greatest impact on?

• (A) Malcolm X

• (B) Joseph Stalin

• (C) Richard Nixon

• (D) Mahatma Gandhi

10. What does Thoreau say he learned from his night in jail?

• (A) He gained a new view of his town.

• (B) He realized that the State is ultimately weak.

• (C) He realized that his neighbors were only friends during good times.

• (D) All of the above