James Goodwin writes: 'Although Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., credited Thoreau as an inspiration to their mass campaigns of passive resistance, in crucial instances his thought appears to be more closely aligned to a doctrine of individual nihilism than to the philosophy of mass nonviolence. However, it is interesting to note that not all modern day critics agree with Thoreau's determination towards mass nonviolence. 'In the 1940's it was read by the Danish resistance, in the 1950's it was cherished by people who opposed McCarthyism, in the 1960's it was influential in the struggle against South African apartheid, and in the 1970's it was discovered by a new generation of anti-war activists.' ( Richard Lenat) And like Thoreau, Gandhi was constantly seeking the higher truth with regard to man's relationship in the universe.Īlthough these men were the most famous followers of Thoreau's ideals, this essay had more wide reaching political and social impact than most people understand. Furthermore, Gandhi advocated the use of civility at all times-'the civil register,' which extols respect for the opposition and behavior out of understanding rather than anger. King's 'direct action' of civil disobedience that we must consider: 'pure' nonviolence, pragmatic action, and finally, the difference between just and unjust laws.' These ideas are clearly Thoreauvian in nature. Andrew Trask states, 'There are elements of Dr. Much has been written on Thoreau's landmark essay on 'Civil Disobedience.' Indeed, it has been used as a model for modern day leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi.

'Images for reform: 'means and ends, seed and fruit' and civil disobedience by Antonio Casado da Rocha 'Readings of Thoreau's Resistance to Civil Government' Wynn Yarborough, VCU

Thoreau resistance to civil government