Final answer:
Gandhi's teachings and practice of non-violence influenced Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement. King utilized nonviolent protest strategies in the Civil Rights Movement that were inspired by Gandhi's approach to India's struggle for independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gandhi, through his teachings and practice of non-violence, greatly influenced Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. King's message of nonviolence became the centerpiece of his strategy within the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) after the success of the Montgomery bus boycott, which was a key event in the Civil Rights Movement. King was deeply influenced by Gandhi's commitment to nonviolent resistance and often spoke about the impact of Gandhi's philosophy of 'soul force' on his ideals.
Under the leadership of King, the Civil Rights Movement utilized a myriad of nonviolent protest strategies, such as rallies, sit-ins, marches, petitions, and boycotts, which were all influenced by Gandhi's approach. This practice of civil disobedience was not only effective in India's struggle for independence but also became a powerful tool for African Americans seeking civil rights in the United States. The adoption of nonviolence helped to inspire and empower a new generation of Civil Rights activists.