Answer: Henry David Thoreau's "Resistance to Civil Government" is an essay in which Thoreau argues that individuals have the right and the duty to disobey unjust laws. He uses his own experience of being jailed for refusing to pay a poll tax as a means of expressing his opposition to the Mexican-American War and slavery.
Thoreau's main argument is that individuals have a higher moral obligation to follow their conscience and to act in accordance with their principles, rather than blindly following the laws of the government. He believes that the government, in its current form, is not capable of promoting justice and that it often perpetuates injustice.
Thoreau also argues that civil disobedience can be a powerful tool for social change. He believes that individuals who resist unjust laws can inspire others to do the same, ultimately leading to a broader movement for change.
Overall, Thoreau's essay is a call to action for individuals to take responsibility for their own moral decisions and to resist unjust laws through nonviolent means. His ideas have influenced many important figures throughout history, including Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.