Henry David Thoreau is known for his emphasis on civil disobedience during the civil rights movement. His essay, "Civil Disobedience," inspired activists by advocating the moral duty to resist unjust laws and government actions. Thoreau’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance resonated with leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., who applied these principles during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Thoreau's work encouraged individuals to stand against oppression, promoting the idea that personal conscience should guide moral law over governmental mandates, influencing movements for social justice and equality throughout history.