What was Henry David Thoreau's purpose in writing "Resistance to Civil Government"?
A.
To explain the different branches of the government and how they work
B.
To describe to his peers the inhumane conditions prisoners have to endure in jail
C.
To explain why citizens have a moral obligation to disobey laws they find unjust
D.
To describe why laws are an important part of keeping a society accountable
C. To explain why citizens have a moral obligation to disobey laws they find unjust
C. To explain why citizens have a moral obligation to disobey laws they find unjust
The correct answer is C. Henry David Thoreau's purpose in writing "Resistance to Civil Government" is to explain why citizens have a moral obligation to disobey laws they find unjust.
To determine the purpose of Thoreau's writing, one should read the text or excerpts from "Resistance to Civil Government" to gain insight into his arguments and ideas. Understanding the main points and arguments presented by Thoreau will help identify his purpose.
In "Resistance to Civil Government," Thoreau discusses his own experience of being imprisoned for refusing to pay taxes as a protest against the Mexican-American War and slavery. He argues that individuals should follow their own conscience over the dictates of the government when those dictates contradict their own sense of morality and justice. Thoreau's central idea is that citizens have a responsibility to disobey unjust laws to bring about social change and create a more just society.
By examining the content of the text, considering Thoreau's arguments and ideas, we can conclude that his purpose was to explain why citizens have a moral obligation to disobey laws they find unjust.