Why did Civil Disobedience receive greater attention in the 20th century?

Henry David Thoreau’s essay, originally titled "Resistance to Civil Government," received relatively little attention following its 1849 publication. Its prominence grew significantly in the 20th century because it resonated with the era's major social and political movements, which sought a philosophical framework for nonviolent resistance against systemic injustice.12

The essay found an eager audience among leaders and activists who championed the use of nonviolent protest to effect meaningful change. Specifically, it became a foundational text for the American civil rights movement, where it deeply influenced leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr.. Furthermore, the work gained international relevance through the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi, whose own philosophy of nonviolent resistance, or satyagraha, mirrored Thoreau’s conviction that individuals must follow a "higher law" of conscience over civil mandates when those laws are unjust.13

By articulating the moral necessity of opposing government actions—such as those involving slavery or imperialist war—Thoreau’s message provided a timeless justification for activists to challenge authority through peaceful, principled defiance.12