The action of opposing, resisting, or disagreeing with something or someone else. Opposition can also be used to describe the major political party in a country that is not part of the government (HM Official Opposition), whose leader takes the title Leader of the Opposition. It can also be used to refer to a group of people or individuals who are opposed to something, for example, “the opposition to raising taxes in this county”.

Opposition is an essential part of democratic engagement, motivating groups across history to fight for rights, justice, and representation. Whether through protests, legal challenges, or grassroots activism, opposition is an important force in shaping policy changes and societal norms. Explore the many forms of opposition throughout history and learn how key movements like the African American Civil Rights Movement were formed through effective opposition efforts. Additionally, discover how the ‘no taxation without representation’ sentiment shaped American independence by framing the concept that citizens have a right to influence their government and influenced broader societal views of government involvement in social issues. Moreover, understand how the Great Society programs faced opposition from both conservative critics and progressive groups, ultimately shaping modification to original proposals and reflecting broader societal tensions on how the government should tackle social issues.