The Global Journey of Nonviolent Disobedience from America to the World
A report from Smithsonian magazine explores the journey of nonviolent civil disobedience from its origins in America to its worldwide impact. The Montgomery bus boycott of 1955-56, spearheaded by Martin Luther King Jr., set a precedent for peaceful protest in the 20th century. King was influenced by Quaker principles of pacifism and conscientious objection, echoing William Penn’s 1682 assertion, "Force may subdue, but love gains." In 1849, Henry David Thoreau's essay "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" called for protests and boycotts. Leo Tolstoy, inspired by Thoreau, advocated for nonviolent resistance in his 1893 work. The article also highlights the Civilian Public Service Program during WWII, where pacifists engaged in non-combat roles, emphasizing the First Amendment's protection of dissent and organization.
Key facts
- The 1955-56 Montgomery bus boycott was led by Martin Luther King Jr.
- William Penn called Pennsylvania a 'Holy Experiment' for Quaker pacifism.
- Henry David Thoreau wrote 'On the Duty of Civil Disobedience' in 1849 after a night in jail.
- Leo Tolstoy's 1893 book 'The Kingdom of God Is Within You' drew from Thoreau and American pacifists.
- Mohandas K. Gandhi read Tolstoy and developed his nonviolent philosophy in South Africa.
- Bayard Rustin, a Quaker, was a key adviser to Martin Luther King Jr.
- The Civilian Public Service Program during WWII involved conscientious objectors in nonviolent roles.
- The First Amendment protects the right to organize, disagree, and refuse.
Entities
Artists
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- William Penn
- Henry David Thoreau
- Leo Tolstoy
- Mohandas K. Gandhi
- Bayard Rustin
Institutions
- Smithsonian magazine
- Civilian Public Service Program
Locations
- Montgomery, Alabama
- United States
- Pennsylvania
- Concord, Massachusetts
- South Africa
- American West