Civil disobedience played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement by challenging unjust laws and practices through nonviolent protest. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized moral obligation to resist segregation and inequality, drawing upon principles of nonviolence and justice. This approach garnered widespread support, highlighted racial injustices, and ultimately influenced significant legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. By fostering public awareness and mobilizing activists, civil disobedience became a powerful tool for achieving social change and equality.