Question

To what extent do you think Thoreau's intended audience agreed with him?

Answer 1

Some of Thoreau's circle of friends, some of whom were as devoted to something called "principle of individual conscience", would have agreed with him. Thoreau wrote at a time when way too many people had deep moral objections to the actions of the federal government, particularly thosewho accepted the horrible act of slavery (the Mexican War, for example, was seen in this light).

Answer 2

Some of Thoreau's friend network, some of whom were as given to the standard of individual inner voice, would have concurred with him. Thoreau composed when numerous individuals had profound good protests to the activities of the government, especially those which included an acknowledgment of bondage. So when he proposed that individuals ought not to obey low laws, or that they should utilize common defiance as a method for dissenting the activities of the state, he would have discovered some help.