Martin Luther King had a significant impact on the Civil rights movement, shaping the ambitions, methods and rhetoric that reaffirmed the democratic freedoms for marginalised communities both within American and on an international scale.

1. Involvement within civil rights groups

One of the founding members in the civil rights movement → Held an initial role in the NAACP and used role as pastor to help empower local community,
Starting the civil rights movement: President of the MIA
- As the leader, he was arrested and imprisoned which propelling BOTH King and the growing civil rights movement onto the national stage.
Goes on to Lead the SCLC.
- Mount non-violence protests against Jim Crowe Laws.
  - organises major events

→ Starts the entire civil rights movement

2. Defines the methods of protest in the initial period

sentiment on non-violent direct action

more specifically,

Mahatma Gandhi's model of nonviolent resistance + violent and agressive response

⇒ sympathetic media coverage and public opinion

⇒ more social capital to lobby for legislative change through
```
   → civil rights act + voting rights act. 
```

Which catalysed the development of events alike

Greensborough Sit-ins
Birmingham campaign.
freedom summer
March on Washington

3. Figurehead and Leader for entire movement

great orator and able to command public rhetoric

Evidenced from,
1. I have a dream speech
2. letter from Birmingham Jail (April 63') → "moral responsibility to obey unjust laws" which led to the "jail no bail" tactic.