In order to determine the reason for a rebellion, you must go into the mind of the rebels and find the cause. Yet, the question is, may you find that mind blank of reasons? Can rebels just be rebels because they feel like it? Many support the idea that you need a cause to rebel; however, there are some who believe you can rebel even without one.
Thoreau believes that men have the "right to refuse allegiance to and to resist the government" (On the Duty of Civil Disobedience, 1565) when it becomes so unendurable that too much "friction" builds up and leads to oppression. According to Thoreau, immoral actions taken by the government is a legitimate cause for rebellion. Nevertheless, Thoreau also believes that "all machines have their friction" (1565) and if one can endure these 'frictions', then he should do so. In addition, one must first consider the welfare of the general public before rebelling, and must put the good of the public before his own convenience. For example, Thoreau did not pay poll-taxes because he recognized that by taking this action he wasn't bringing anyone any harm or putting them at risk. …
