Timeline of civil disobedience
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This is a timeline of civil disobedience, a form of protest or resistance in which individuals deliberately and openly violate certain laws or regulations that they consider unjust or morally objectionable.
Full timeline
| Year | Event type | Details | Country/location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1819 | English writer Percy Bysshe Shelley, writes political poem The Masque of Anarchy in response to the Peterloo Massacre. It is considered one of the earliest articulations of nonviolent resistance. The poem remains unpublished during Shelley's lifetime, only appearing in 1832 through Edward Moxon with a preface by Leigh Hunt, who initially withholds it, believing the public is not ready to appreciate its message. The title varies between Mask and Masque, and the 372-line poem is mainly composed of quatrains. Its themes emphasize hope, justice, and truth, advocating moral and peaceful resistance to oppression and tyranny.[1][2] | United Kingdom | |
| 1849 | Literature | American transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau publishes essay Resistance to Civil Government. Thoreau argues that individuals must follow their conscience rather than obey unjust laws, criticizing passive compliance with government authority. Motivated by opposition to slavery and the Mexican–American War, he emphasizes moral responsibility over legal obedience. The essay would profoundly influence political thought and activism, inspiring leaders like Mahatma Gandhi in India and Martin Luther King Jr. during the American civil rights movement. It remains a foundational work on nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. | United States |
| 2018 | Extinction Rebellion (XR) is founded to address the Climate and Nature Emergency, calling for urgent action to prevent ecological collapse. XR launched with a Declaration of Rebellion, advocating Nonviolent Direct Action, citizen participation, and system change. Its three core demands are: telling the truth about the climate crisis, acting immediately to achieve net-zero emissions by 2025 and protect nature, and deciding together through participatory governance like Citizens’ Assemblies. XR emphasizes decentralization, inclusivity, and a regenerative culture, mobilizing people globally to challenge governments, corporations, and fossil fuel interests.[3] | United Kingdom | |
| 2020 (May 25) | George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis, is killed when a white officer kneels on his neck for 8 minutes 46 seconds. Floyd’s death, recorded by bystanders, sparks widespread protests across the US and globally, addressing police brutality, systemic racism, and white supremacy. Protests are linked to Black Lives Matter, open to all, and spread despite COVID-19 risks. Demonstrations lead to arrests of the officers, policy proposals like the Justice in Policing Act, local police budget cuts, and legislative changes, including ‘Breonna’s Law.’ Protesters use slogans, kneeling, and murals to demand justice and systemic reform.[4] | United States, worldwide |
Meta information on the timeline
How the timeline was built
The initial version of the timeline was written by Sebastian Sanchez.
Funding information for this timeline is available.
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See also
External links
References
- ↑ Paley, Morton D. (1999). Apocalypse and Millennium in English Romantic Poetry. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press. ISBN 978-0-19169-882-8.
- ↑ "Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Mask of Anarchy"". knarf.english.upenn.edu.
- ↑ "About". Extinction Rebellion UK. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ↑ "George Floyd Protests". Participedia. Retrieved 2025-10-15.