Which essay by Thoreau inspired social and political reformers?

The essay that inspired social and political reformers is "On Civil Disobedience." This work articulates Thoreau's philosophy regarding the individual's moral responsibility to resist unjust laws and government actions. In it, Thoreau argues that individuals should not allow governments to overrule or atrophy their consciences. He famously outlines his beliefs about the necessity of nonviolent resistance, asserting that it is a citizen's duty to dissent when laws are unjust.

This text has had a profound impact on subsequent movements for social and political reform, influencing leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. They applied Thoreau's ideas about civil disobedience to advocate for justice and civil rights, demonstrating the essay's enduring relevance and power in inspiring action against oppression.

The other choices, while significant in their own right, do not carry the same weight in directly influencing social and political reform as "On Civil Disobedience." "Nature's Influence on Man" examines environmental themes, "Resistance to Civil Government" is an alternative title for "On Civil Disobedience," while "Walking" focuses on the human experience of nature. However, it is specifically Thoreau's exploration of civil disobedience that has resonated across generations in the