Henry david thoreau was an american author and leader of the transcendentalist movement. in 1846, thoreau was placed in jail because he had refused to pay his taxes. he stated that he did not want to pay taxes because he could not support certain policies of the u. s. government. these included a. the ongoing civil war and lack of women's suffrage. b. anti-communist activities and isolationism. c. protection of states' rights and increased tariffs. d. slavery and participation in the mexican-american war.