Which philosopher’s ideas strongly influenced Leo Tolstoy’s nonviolent Christian teachings?

Henry David Thoreau’s ideas strongly influenced Leo Tolstoy’s nonviolent Christian teachings.

Tolstoy admired Thoreau’s 1849 essay “Civil Disobedience,” which argues that individuals should not cooperate with unjust government action. Tolstoy incorporated similar ideas into his own doctrine of nonresistance to evil by force, while grounding them in his interpretation of the teachings of Jesus.

Tolstoy’s religious and ethical writings argued that Christians should reject violence, military service, coercive government, and participation in systems of domination. His position was developed through works including The Kingdom of God Is Within You and correspondence with reformers around the world.

Thoreau was not Tolstoy’s only influence. Tolstoy also engaged with the New Testament, Quaker thought, and other religious and moral writers. However, Thoreau is the specific American philosopher most closely connected with the political side of Tolstoy’s nonviolent philosophy.