Henry David Thoreau is known for promoting the idea of civil disobedience during social movements. His 1849 essay "Civil Disobedience" argued that individuals should not allow governments to overrule their consciences, advocating for nonviolent resistance to unjust laws. Thoreau’s thoughts were influenced by his opposition to slavery and the Mexican-American War, emphasizing moral responsibility over blind allegiance to governmental authority. This concept of civil disobedience has inspired various social movements throughout history, most notably influencing leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., who adopted and adapted Thoreau's ideas in their quests for social justice and civil rights.