No one could have predicted the modern relevance of the teachings of transcendentalist author and philosopher Henry David Thoreau. At a time when slavery was still commonplace and new technologies, like the telegraph and the railroad, promised a radical change in the ways people worked and traveled, one man demanded freedom for all and cautioned against reliance on material possessions for fulfillment. By watching a short video and engaging in two primary source activities, students will explore the philosophy, writings, and impact of Henry David Thoreau.

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