Martin Luther King Jr. was the prominent leader who advocated for civil rights in the United States through nonviolent resistance. Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's principles, King led campaigns for desegregation and equal rights for African Americans. He organized events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. King's philosophy was rooted in love and forgiveness, aiming to challenge injustice without resorting to violence. His work was instrumental in securing landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which fundamentally transformed American society.