Martin Luther King Jr.'s early life significantly shaped his approach to civil rights advocacy. Raised in an influential African American family, he was exposed to teachings of nonviolence and social justice from a young age. His education, particularly at Morehouse College and Boston University, equipped him with a deep intellectual understanding of philosophies like those of Mahatma Gandhi. King's formative experiences with racism and his belief in the power of love and justice culminated in his pivotal role as a leader during the Civil Rights Movement, emphasizing nonviolent protest to achieve equality.