Based on thoreau’s beliefs and "civil disobedience," he most likely decided not to pay poll tax because
he could not afford to pay taxes.
he disagreed with the idea of it.
he did not understand the law.
he wanted to experience prison.

Based on Thoreau’s beliefs and "Civil Disobedience," he most likely decided not to pay a poll tax because he could not afford to pay taxes. Thoreau said that he would be willing to pay road tax if it has benefits to society, yet he opposed the tax that was misused by the government itself, which was often used for projects that they were corrupt.

EXPLANATION

Henry David Thoreau is known for his essay entitled "Civil Disobedience". Thoreau stated that a person was obliged to break the law if his conscience said that the law was unfair. "Breaking the law means that you provide a better life for yourself" (Thoreau, P. 18)

Thoreau was different from other Americans who fully believed in the law. However, Thoreau did not necessarily encourage people to become criminals. Thoreau said that a criminal was a person who violated the law and would not be responsible for his crime. He just advised someone not to obey the unfair laws, so that everyone could realize that, he was not obeying the law because the law is not fair.

So, someone had to be prepared to accept the consequences that occur because of actions that do not comply with the law. Thoreau assured that people must be willing to go to jail if they wanted to make changes to the unfair laws. Thoreau went to prison not merely for not paying his taxes, but because he believed that the government was using the money for things that were not right.

This is a way that according to Henry Thoreau could change laws that are considered unfair. Thus, the case would be lifted, people would be aware, and a revolution/reform would occur.

LEARN MORE

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, we recommend you to also take a look at the following questions:

• Considering "Civil Disobedience," why did both Thoreau and Martin Luther King, Jr. engage in acts of civil disobedience?

KEYWORD: Henry David Thoreau, unfair, law, civil disobedience  

Subject: Social Studies

Class: 10 - 12

Subchapter: Civil Disobedience