Henry David Thoreau’s essay titled Civil Disobedience consisted of him proposing revolutionary ways of looking at our moral obligations as Americans. This thesis is supported by three contentions. First, while the traditional views of government involved expanding it, Thoreau believed in limiting it. Second, as more American citizens became involved in the Mexican-American War, Thoreau criticized the supporters and those involved in the war, as well as those who opposed but did not speak out against it. Finally, as support for the continuation of slavery grew, Thoreau not only refused to sustain it, he vehemently damned any use of it. First, while the tradition views of the government involved the expansion of it, Thoreau believed in the