How did thoreau's "civil disobedience" pave the way for significant events later in history?

In "Civil Disobedience," Thoreau championed the idea that if a government is not going to improve itself, then it is the duty of the people to refuse to support it. This paved the way for non-violent protests, such as those led by Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. 

I've actually never heard of the guy. but, atleast he doesn’t rap/sing about drugs and girls, but he still have a very high view of himself, which could possibly cause annoyance