Martin Luther King Jr. used many important ideas to help guide his peaceful fight for justice. He learned from different influences that shaped how he led others.

1. Christian Influence:

   • King's ideas were greatly influenced by his Christian beliefs. He focused on love and forgiveness, much like Jesus Christ did. He talked about agape, which means unconditional love. He believed this kind of love should even be shown towards those who hurt others.

2. Gandhi's Principles:

   • King believed in nonviolence and learned a lot from Mahatma Gandhi. He used strategies like:
     • Civil Disobedience: This means peacefully breaking unfair laws and being ready to face the consequences.
     • Satyagraha: This is the idea of using the power of truth, showing that nonviolence can be a strong weapon against injustice.

3. Thoreau's Philosophy:

   • King was inspired by Henry David Thoreau and his essay about civil disobedience. He thought that following one's own beliefs was very important. King encouraged people to resist unfair government actions peacefully, believing that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

4. Impact and Results:

   • During the Montgomery Bus Boycott from 1955 to 1956, King's peaceful fighting led to the bus companies losing $3.5 million.
   • This boycott was successful and helped lead to a Supreme Court decision that said segregation on public buses was not allowed.

In short, King mixed Christian teachings, Gandhi's ideas of nonviolence, and Thoreau's thoughts on civil disobedience. This blend not only guided his actions but also helped make the Civil Rights Movement strong, leading to important changes in laws and society in America.