Final answer:
Gandhi's non-violent civil disobedience greatly influenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis in their civil rights activism, shaping their peaceful, yet powerful approaches to combatting racial inequality in the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mahatma Gandhi's influence on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis was profound and transformative in shaping their approach to social justice and civil rights activism. Gandhi's strategy of non-violent civil disobedience was a cornerstone of his campaign for India's independence from British colonial rule. This peaceful approach to political change inspired both King and Lewis in their struggle for African-American civil rights in the United States.
Dr. King was particularly moved by Gandhi's philosophy and tactics, adopting them in the fight against racial segregation and discrimination. The concept of nonviolence became a critical aspect of the Civil Rights Movement, with King's leadership in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Birmingham campaign, and the March on Washington, all reflecting Gandhian principles.
Similarly, John Lewis was inspired by the nonviolent movement and became an iconic figure in the Civil Rights Movement. He was notably involved in the Freedom Rides, the March on Washington, and led the fateful march in Selma, known as Bloody Sunday. Lewis first became acquainted with Gandhi's teachings during his formulative years of activism and they deeply influenced his approach to the struggle for social justice.