FAQ About Henry David Thoreau

Several events shaped Thoreau's philosophy and actions. Notably, his arrest for refusing to pay a poll tax, which he opposed due to its support of slavery and the Mexican-American War, directly led to his essay "Civil Disobedience." His immersion in nature at Walden Pond allowed him to develop ideas on simple living and self-reliance. Additionally, his mentorship with Ralph Waldo Emerson significantly influenced his transcendentalist approach.