Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent civil rights activist known for his philosophy of peaceful protest. Through nonviolent resistance, he advocated for racial equality and social justice during the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's principles, King believed that peaceful protests, such as marches and sit-ins, could enact social change without resorting to violence. His leadership was instrumental in crucial events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, where he delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. King's efforts resulted in significant legislative changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, advancing the fight for racial equality.