The title is an important aspect that must be taken into account and should not be misinterpreted. When this essay was first published, it was titled “Resistance to Civil Government.” The resistance in its title is then used as a metaphor comparing government to that of a machine. The machine produces injustice, which is why he says: “If injustice is part of the necessary frictions of the machine of government, let it go, let it go; maybe it will wear out slowly – certainly the machine will wear out. He continues this metaphor by saying, “Let your life be a counter-friction to stop the machine.” After Thoreau's death, his essay was retitled "Civil Disobedience." For the purposes of this essay, the term civil means "that which concerns citizens and their relations with each other or with the state", and therefore civil disobedience means "disobedience to the state". Thoreau targets all American citizens with this essay. . He makes a statement to them and tries to convince them that we must, together, take a stand against the American government. Thoreau attempts to demonstrate his autonomy from the government. It defends its specific principles and encourages non-aggressive acts of political resistance to protest government policies. An example of his resistance is when he states that "he cannot without shame be associated with it." I cannot for a single moment recognize this political organization as my government which is also the government of slaves.” The two major issues that arose during the writing of this essay were the Mexican-American War and slavery. During this period, many Northerners began to fight against slavery, causing division within American society. The Mexican-American War ...... middle of paper ...... create one state at least which can afford to be just to all men and treat the individual with respect as a neighbor; who would not even find it incompatible with his own rest if some lived apart from him, without meddling or embracing each other, fulfilling all the duties of neighbors and peers. This shows that he has hope for what could be in the future. It may not happen soon, but it is possible. Another statement from the text; “A State which would bear this kind of fruit and let it fall as quickly as it ripened, would prepare the way for an even more perfect and more glorious State, which I have also imagined, but which I have not yet seen anywhere . » This means that for a state and a government to be better, there must be a failed and defective one for a better one to appear. Our civil disobedience is not only a right, but a duty to oppose injustice..