What is this place?
When Thoreau died of tuberculosis at the age of forty-four, his work had received little recognition. Yet he had achieved an inner success that few others had experienced.
At his funeral Emerson said “The country knows
not yet how great a son it has lost...But he at
least is content”.
He was born and raised in Concord, Massachusetts.
After graduating from Harvard, he became ateacher, but he objected to corporal punishment and was forced to quit his job, so he and his brother John opened their own school, which was quite successful, but it had to close when his brother became ill.
In 1842 he moved into Emerson’s house and they became close friends.
For two years (1845-47) he decided to test theTranscendentalist ideal fully and moved to a cabin he built himself in Walden Pond. • His book “Walden” records this experience, where he blends natural observation, social inspiration and political insight.
His work has inspired environmentalists, social and political leaders.
The Mexican War: a conflict between Mexico and the US (1846-48) was caused by a dispute over the boundary between these countries. Mexico refused to sell California and New Mexico to the US.
Thoreau was strongly opposed to slavery, which was still legal in parts of the United States. He didn’t want to contribute financially to a government that supported or tolerated such an injustice.
The Mexican War: a conflict between Mexico and the US (1846-48) was caused by a dispute over the boundary between these countries. Mexico refused to sell California and New Mexico to the US.
He also disagreed with the war (1846–1848), seeing it as an unjust attempt to expand U.S. territory and potentially spread slavery. Paying taxes, in his view, meant funding this war, which he could not morally support.
In his essay “Civil Disobedience” (1849), Thoreau argued that individuals should not permit governments to override their conscience. If a law or policy is unjust, one has a moral duty to resist, even if it means breaking the law.
Thoreau was strongly opposed to slavery, which was still legal in parts of the United States. He didn’t want to contribute financially to a government that supported or tolerated such an injustice.
The Mexican War: a conflict between Mexico and the US (1846-48) was caused by a dispute over the boundary between these countries. Mexico refused to sell California and New Mexico to the US.
He also disagreed with the war (1846–1848), seeing it as an unjust attempt to expand U.S. territory and potentially spread slavery. Paying taxes, in his view, meant funding this war, which he could not morally support.
a protest against injustice and a demonstration of moral responsibility
In his essay “Civil Disobedience” (1849), Thoreau argued that individuals should not permit governments to override their conscience. If a law or policy is unjust, one has a moral duty to resist, even if it means breaking the law.
What is your relationship with these pictures?
After reading 'Solidarity Forever: The St Patrick's Battalion', discuss the following questions with a partner.
- How did the San Patricio's background and experiences under British rule influence their decision?
- Why was the Mexican-American War seen by many as an 'immoral' war?
- Thoreau believed that people must act according to conscience,, even if it means breaking the law. How does that idea apply to what the San Patricio's did?
- In what ways do both Thoreau and the Irish soldiers embody resistance to injustice - one through words, the other through action?
- Do you think Thoreau would have approved of the St. Patrick's Batallion defection? Why or why not?
- Transcendentalists valued individual conscience, moral independence, and unity with humanity and nature. How are these values reflected in the actions of the San Patricios?
- Is civil disobedience more powerful through peaceful resistance (like Thoreau's) or through direct action (like the San Patricios)? Why?
- Can you think of a modern situation where people have acted like Thoreau or the San Patricios- standing up against injustice from within a powerful country or system?
Walden
What is this place?
Sarah Eugenia Caball
Created on November 3, 2025
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Transcript
What is this place?
When Thoreau died of tuberculosis at the age of forty-four, his work had received little recognition. Yet he had achieved an inner success that few others had experienced.
At his funeral Emerson said “The country knows not yet how great a son it has lost...But he at least is content”.
He was born and raised in Concord, Massachusetts.
After graduating from Harvard, he became ateacher, but he objected to corporal punishment and was forced to quit his job, so he and his brother John opened their own school, which was quite successful, but it had to close when his brother became ill.
In 1842 he moved into Emerson’s house and they became close friends.
For two years (1845-47) he decided to test theTranscendentalist ideal fully and moved to a cabin he built himself in Walden Pond. • His book “Walden” records this experience, where he blends natural observation, social inspiration and political insight.
His work has inspired environmentalists, social and political leaders.
The Mexican War: a conflict between Mexico and the US (1846-48) was caused by a dispute over the boundary between these countries. Mexico refused to sell California and New Mexico to the US.
Thoreau was strongly opposed to slavery, which was still legal in parts of the United States. He didn’t want to contribute financially to a government that supported or tolerated such an injustice.
The Mexican War: a conflict between Mexico and the US (1846-48) was caused by a dispute over the boundary between these countries. Mexico refused to sell California and New Mexico to the US.
He also disagreed with the war (1846–1848), seeing it as an unjust attempt to expand U.S. territory and potentially spread slavery. Paying taxes, in his view, meant funding this war, which he could not morally support.
In his essay “Civil Disobedience” (1849), Thoreau argued that individuals should not permit governments to override their conscience. If a law or policy is unjust, one has a moral duty to resist, even if it means breaking the law.
Thoreau was strongly opposed to slavery, which was still legal in parts of the United States. He didn’t want to contribute financially to a government that supported or tolerated such an injustice.
The Mexican War: a conflict between Mexico and the US (1846-48) was caused by a dispute over the boundary between these countries. Mexico refused to sell California and New Mexico to the US.
He also disagreed with the war (1846–1848), seeing it as an unjust attempt to expand U.S. territory and potentially spread slavery. Paying taxes, in his view, meant funding this war, which he could not morally support.
a protest against injustice and a demonstration of moral responsibility
In his essay “Civil Disobedience” (1849), Thoreau argued that individuals should not permit governments to override their conscience. If a law or policy is unjust, one has a moral duty to resist, even if it means breaking the law.
What is your relationship with these pictures?
After reading 'Solidarity Forever: The St Patrick's Battalion', discuss the following questions with a partner.
Walden