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Mass Humanities: Mass Moments: Henry David Thoreau Spends Night in Jail
July 23, 1846 Henry David Thoreau is arrested and jailed for civil disobedience against the Massachusetts Poll Tax. Take a look at the events of that day as well as the life and legacy of Thoreau.
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Just War Theory
Article summarizes the history of "just war" theory in Aquinas and his successors; then takes up two subcategories within the theory: the rules that govern the justice of war, and the rules that govern fair conduct in war. Clearly...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Henry David Thoreau: Author, Philosopher, and Abolitionist
By watching a short video and engaging in two primary source activities, students will explore the philosophy, writings, and impact of Henry David Thoreau.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Reasoning, Making of African American Identity: V. 3
Brochures and a speech from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference describing the organization's philosophy, its strategy, and its position on voting rights, civil disobedience, and segregation.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Arming, Making of African American Identity: V. 3
This resource offers a memoir that examines the role of armed self-defense in the civil rights movement. An excerpt from the text "Negroes with Guns", by Robert Williams is made available here, describing his approach towards civil...
Digital History
Digital History: War Fever and Antiwar Protests
What started out as a prowar inclination of American citizens at the beginning of the Mexican War soon deteriorated. Read about the opposition of politicians, clergymen, and intellectuals to the reasoning for the war, and later for the...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Rosa Parks
This site from the encyclopedia Wikipedia provides a brief biography of civil rights activist Rosa Parks and details her refusal to give up her seat to a white man and move to the back of the bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
Other
Basic Readings in u.s. Democracy: Henry David Thoreau
This website provides historical background to the political events of the time Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience." It also includes background information about Thoreau and the text of Thoreau's essay.
Eserver
E Server: The Thoreau Reader: What Did Henry Look Like?
Two online photos of Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862 CE). Also provides commentary and quotes on the man's physical nature and appearance.
University of California
University of California: Noncooperation
A discussion from the University of California of Gandhi's initiation of the noncooperation movement which eventually led to his arrest.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Henry Thoreau
A nice biography on Henry David Thoreau's life, centering mostly on his literary skills.
PBS
Pbs: Rediscovering George Washington
Discussion lesson plan that introduces and examines the concept of government by consent of the governed. Includes a reading for class distribution and references to primary source documents.
Texas A&M University
American Transcendentalism Web
A scholarly site with many articles about American transcendental authors, their work, and philosophy.
Other
History of Massachusetts: Henry Thoreau Arrested for Nonpayment of Poll Tax
Henry Thoreau left a legacy for people to listen to and defend their consciences. He felt strongly against taxes and avoided as many as possible, but could not escape the poll tax. This is a concise publication identifying Thoreau's...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Gandhi and Civil Disobedience
Article which highlights the life and work of Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: War and International Law: A Brief History of the Law of War
Understand the evolution of the law of war dating back to Mesopotamia in 3100 B.C. Recognize what justifies war.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Henry David Thoreau
This article reviews the life and accomplishments of Henry David Thoreau.
US National Archives
Docsteach: A Famous Person and Event Revealed: Examining an Arrest Record
This activity requires students to examine the arrest record of an un-named person. Students will analyze and evaluate the data contained in the document, applying prior knowledge, to discern what happened in the incident and the...
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Nonviolent Direct Action at Southern Lunch Counters
[Free Registration/Login Required] A lesson plan that teaches about nonviolence and uses the civil rights lunch counter protests as examples.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Introduction to the Civil Rights Movement
Provides an overview and basic introduction to the civil rights movement of African Americans.
Robin Chew
Lucidcafe: Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil Rights Leader
Informative biographical sketch of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with links to Gandhi and good information about the philosophy of nonviolent social protest. Includes links to text of "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and the "I Have a Dream"...
PBS
Pbs: Independent Lens: Conscience and the Constitution
Would you accept being drafted into military service if your family was being held in an internment camp? That was the question on many a Japanese American's mind during World War 2. Explore the stories of those who resisted service and...
Eserver
E Server: The Thoreau Reader: "Civil Disobedience" Part 1 of 3
This is the annotated text of Part 1 of "Civil Disobedience," an essay by Henry David Thoreau. The essay, written in 1849, is about following your conscience.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: We Shall Overcome: A Party on Potus [Pdf]
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that directs students in a role-playing dramatization involving past presidents of the United States and activists Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Henry...