... for Indians, minus the fighting of course. Well, sort of, Gandhi had been attacked and beaten many times by the white South Africans. He then formed his idea of passive resistance to, and noncooperation with, the South African authorities. "Make waves, not war"2 He gained inspiration to be a passive resister from the writer Leo Tolstoy, Gandhi's greatest influence. Tolstoy left a profound ... influence and imprint on Gandhi as did the teachings of Jesus Christ and the nineteenth century writer Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau's essay "Civil Disobedience" was one Gandhi took to heart. But ci...

• Word Count: 1267
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... at Morehouse College in Atlanta, King was strongly introduced to the nonviolent way of life. King did much research about nonviolence, reading writings from great people. After reading Henry David Thoreau's Essay on Civil Disobedience for the first time, he reread the essay several times. King continued to explore nonviolence while he began his studies at Crozer Theological Seminary, "but he ... was King's experience in Montgomery that "solidified his adherence to the philosophy of nonviolence- (Carson). After that, he wanted direct nonviolent actions for blacks in America. He believe t...

• Word Count: 1316
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School