Madison Evans

Ib LA

Mrs. Mckay

22 oct 2020

Throughout history there have been many examples of how disobedience and rebellion

are necessary for the progress of a society. Revolutions and rebellions have made great

changes in the world. Going against society can often be very good for a strong cause. Oscar

Wilde, an influential writer, is a huge advocate for this theory. I support Oscar Wilde's claims

that anyone who has read history is an original virtue because of suffragettes and the american

revolution.

One example of disobedience being good for progress is suffragettes. They wanted

equality for women among many male dominated sections of society. They fought for the right

to vote and equal pay among other things. Throughout time they made progress in society by

making it more equal and fair to everyone. Women eventually got the right to vote, to work in

jobs not previously available, and overall more equality than they began with. An example of this

is years later in history and is centered around Ruth Bader Ginsberg and her being a very

influential supreme court justice. She was able to be a supreme court justice in part to

suffragettes and how they went against the norms of society. She made massive changes in the

community especially for women. Without disobedience and rebellion women would never be

where they are today and the society would still be vastly male dominated.

The american rebellion is another good example of people making progress by defying

people, more specifically Great britain. The french and indian war was a war between britain

and the colonists, and the french and indians. The war started in the colonies and eventually

moved to europe. Great Britain strongly believed that the colonies had to pay Great Britain back

for the cost of the war. The colonists were being ruled very strictly and wanted that to change.

People started to speak out against Great britain. One example of a text in which someone is
speaking out is thomas paine's common sense. In the pamphlet he openly expresses dislike of

Britain's rule over the colonies, he also states that they should be free and self governed.

Colonists began to fight back against the british. They started attacking shipments and not

following the laws. They offered Britain the chance to apologize and come together in the olive

branch petition, as long as they got representation. Britain ignored it and this started an all out

war with britain. The colonies were eventually victorious and decided to leave britain. Without

rebellion America would not be how it is today, be free, and self govern. The United States

made progress within itself through disobedience which allowed America to progress.

To conclude disobedience in order to incite change among the masses is a good virtue.

Not in every case is this statement valid there are many places where it is seen as a bad virtue

such as the rise of hitler and the holocaust. He went against the norms of society and had

massive success but he ended up killing countless numbers of people. Though despite his

actions revolution and change is for the majority of the time a good thing. Suffragettes fighting

for their rights is a massive part of american history and greatly benefits society. The colonists

inciting change helped better them as a nation and it affected pretty much the whole world.

Overall revolution and change is a good virtue for the betterment of society and Oscar Wilde

claims are in agreement.