What was Martin Luther King Jr.'s primary method of advocating for civil rights?

Martin Luther King Jr.'s primary method of advocating for civil rights was through nonviolent protest. This approach was rooted in his belief in peaceful resistance as a means to achieve social justice and equality. Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence, King led numerous demonstrations, marches, and sit-ins, emphasizing that love and understanding could overcome hate and oppression.

His strategy aimed not only to highlight the injustices faced by African Americans but also to appeal to the conscience of the broader public and solicit support from a diverse audience. Nonviolent protest sought to create a moral urgency around civil rights issues, using acts of peaceful defiance to draw attention to racial discrimination and to invoke sympathy and understanding from those outside the movement. This method was significant in unifying citizens across different backgrounds and contributed to major legislative changes, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The effectiveness and moral clarity of nonviolent protest defined King’s legacy and became a cornerstone in the struggle for civil rights in the United States.