how did Thoreau justify this act of civil disobedience
Henry David Thoreau justified his act of civil disobedience, specifically his refusal to pay taxes, through his belief in individual conscience and moral responsibility. Thoreau believed that everyone had a moral duty to follow their own conscience and do what they believed was right, regardless of the laws imposed by the government.
Thoreau argued that the government, particularly in the case of slavery and the Mexican-American War, was infringing on individual rights and perpetuating injustice. He saw paying taxes as indirectly supporting these unjust practices and believed that individuals had a duty to resist such actions.
In his essay "Civil Disobedience," Thoreau emphasized that it was important for individuals to act on their conscience and not blindly follow the laws if they went against their own moral principles. He argued that individuals had the right and obligation to oppose unjust laws and actively resist them.
Thoreau's act of civil disobedience, refusing to pay taxes, was driven by his belief in the power of individual action to bring about change. He saw it as a means to protest and raise awareness about the unjust policies of the government, with the aim of inspiring others to similarly challenge and resist these actions.