Civil Disobedience

Written by Jonathan Milner

Definition

Openly and peacefully breaking a law considered unjust, and accepting the punishment, to draw attention to the injustice and push for change.

Example

In his 1963 Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. argued that people have a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws, openly and lovingly.

 

Questions

  1. Define civil disobedience.

  2. Explain why practitioners of civil disobedience accept punishment.

  3. Describe Martin Luther King Jr.'s argument about just and unjust laws in Letter from Birmingham Jail.

  4. Identify one example of civil disobedience from the civil rights movement.

  5. Explain how civil disobedience can influence public opinion and policy.

  6. Explain how civil disobedience connects to the right to petition and assemble.

  7. Describe the difference between civil disobedience and a riot.

  8. Is civil disobedience ever justified in a democracy? Explain.

  9. What emoji would do a good job of expressing the concept civil disobedience?

  10. Translate civil disobedience into plain English.

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw civil disobedience! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

AP Exam Prep
$20.00
One time

Get AP Exam Ready with anytime access to our fabulous gamified online exam-prep resources, self-guided workshops, interactive reviews, games, and exclusive content. This comprehensive suite of materials is specifically designed to help students master the content and skills required for success on the AP United States Government and Politics Exam, such as reading comprehension and concept application.

✓ Free Download of High Five Exam Prep ($15 value)
✓ Fabulous Interactive Review Games
✓ Self-Guided Unit Reviews
✓ Self-Scoring Practice AP Exams
✓ Priority Access to Online Review Sessions

GoPo Glossary

Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
Previous

Closed Primary
Next

Plea Bargain