What does the term "civil disobedience" mean?

The term "civil disobedience" refers specifically to the active refusal to obey certain laws as a form of peaceful protest. This concept is deeply rooted in the belief that individuals have a moral duty to oppose unjust laws and government actions. Historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified this practice by deliberately breaking laws they considered to be immoral while advocating for change in a nonviolent manner. This form of protest seeks to highlight injustices and provoke a change in laws or policies without resorting to violence, making it a crucial tactic in many social movements.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the meaning of civil disobedience. Complying with laws does not embody the essence of civil disobedience, which is characterized by opposition. Strategies used in military conflicts and negotiating treaties are unrelated to the concept of peaceful protest against laws.