Civil Disobedience Quizzes

Civil Disobedience Quiz 1

By Adam Christian · Last reviewed June 02, 2003

1 The inspiration for American Transcendentalism derives from Thoreau's understanding and study of:

German Idealism

British Romanticism

Unitarian-Universalism

all of the above
2 Thoreau was thrown in prison for one night in 1847 because he

encouraged violent overthrow of the federal government

failed to repay debt to the local bank

refused to pay the poll tax

protested at a Concord town meeting
3 According to Thoreau, American government is generally

a progressive, enlightening force in the lives of ordinary citizens

a meddlesome and intrusive presence

too weak to have any real impact on the overall direction of society

good at solving social problems, but could be more effective
4 William Paley argues with regard to acts of civil disobedience that:

men have an unfettered right to revolution

the enormity of the grievance must be weighed against the cost of redressing it

men should instead petition their elected representatives

only considerations of individual conscience should be taken into account
5 How many times does Thoreau use the term "civil disobedience" in his essay?

none

3

7

2
6 In his prison account, Thoreau compares the State to

a pathetic, lonely woman

an overbearing mother

an armored knight

a machine
7 The purest sources of Truth, Thoreau claims at the end of his essay, are to be found in:

the Constitution and the Bible

the wisdom of great leaders

ancient Greek philosophy

18th century Enlightenment thought
8 For Thoreau, majority opinion in a democracy

is highly manipulable and hence not to be trusted

should generally be used to guide the decision of legislators, except in times of war or civil unrest

should be disregarded if it supports unjust or immoral policies

must always be respected, regardless of its moral consequences
9 Thoreau opposes the Mexican war primarily because he

thinks that a diplomatic solution should be sought in this case

wants to preserve the political power of New England

fears the extension of slavery into new US territories

thinks that war is morally wrong in all cases
10 Thoreau claims that money is generally a corrupting force because it

makes men think that they are above the law

puts men out of touch with the plight of the common man

binds men to corrupt governments and social institutions

gives men too much influence over the political process
11 Thoreau's pessimistic view of the voting process stems from

the undue influence of campaign contributions

declining voter turnout

the tendency of politicians to break campaign promises

the manner in which it limits voter choices
12 Thoreau calls on his fellow citizens to help abolish slavery by

boycotting southern states where it is practiced

appealing to the moral conscience of slaveowners

writing to their elected representatives

withholding taxes from the government
13 Fill in the blank: "The progress from an absolute to a limited monarchy, from a limited monarchy to a democracy, is a progress toward ___________."

true respect for the individual

a more enlightened State

the ideal of true freedom

greater power for the people
14 Thoreau uses which figure to describe men who do not follow their conscience?

blindfolded prisoners lined up for execution

children dutifully completing their chores

slaves tied up in chains awaiting auction

soldiers marching toward their death
15 According to Thoreau, the authority of government derives from:

the consent of the governed

Biblical teachings

divine right

the Constitution
16 Thoreau feels that the problem with politicians is their inability to:

scrutinize the government that gives them authority

pass intelligent legislation

(b) and (c)

stand up for what they believe in
17 A man has an obligation to act according to his conscience even if the latter goes against:

the laws of society

the presiding leadership

majority opinion

all of the above
18 Thoreau thinks that American democracy is:

a tradition that has strayed from its original ideals

ill-conceived and should be overthrown

too liberal in granting rights and freedoms

a model for the rest of the world
19 Civil Disobedience influenced which of the following people?

Mohandas Gandhi

Leo Tolstoy

Martin Luther King Jr.

all of the above
20 Government lends itself to oppressive and corrupt uses because it allows men to

achieve legal immunity for their crimes and misdemeanors

impose their will on the majority

(a) and (b)

profit economically from their position of authority
21 Civil Disobedience was published in 1849 under the title:

An Appeal to the Consciences of Men

Resistance to Civil Government

The Individual and the State

On the Duty of Resistance
22 Thoreau cites a speech by Senator Daniel Webster, who believes that

tax resisters should be punished to the fullest extent of the law

slavery must be brought to an immediate end

feelings of humanity toward slaves have no place in political debate

men should pledge their allegiance to the State under all circumstances
23 Upon his immediate release from prison, Thoreau describes feeling

regret at the damage to his public reputation

alienated from his neighbors

morally ashamed of his actions

humbled into conformity
24 The use of civil disobedience is legitimate when citizens abide by which of the following condition?

nonviolent means of protest

reasonable proportionality of the remedy to the injustice

resignation from government employment, if necessary

prior petitioning of elected officials
25 Slaves constituted what part of the total US population at the time Thoreau wrote his essay?

one-twentieth

one-tenth

one-quarter

one-sixth

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