Martin Luther King Jr. played a major role in the U.S. civil rights movement through nonviolent protests. He advocated for peaceful demonstrations, civil disobedience, and meaningful dialogue as means to combat racial injustice and inequality. His leadership was instrumental in organizing significant events, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, where he delivered the iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. King’s philosophy was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's principles of nonviolence, and his efforts helped to secure pivotal legislation, including the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, advancing civil rights in America.