Locke was an influence on the founding fathers of our country. What two ideas did he contribute to the Enlightenment? Where in the founding documents of the United States do we see each of those ideas demonstrated?
Make it short please
John Locke contributed many ideas to the Enlightenment, but two of his most significant contributions that influenced the founding fathers are:
1. Natural Rights: Locke argued that individuals are born with certain natural rights, including life, liberty, and property. These rights are inherent and cannot be legitimately taken away by government.
- Founding Document: This idea is reflected in the Declaration of Independence, where Thomas Jefferson wrote about "unalienable Rights" that included "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
2. Consent of the Governed: Locke believed that governments are legitimate only if they have the consent of the people they govern. This idea underpins the concept of popular sovereignty – that the authority of a government derives from the consent of the people.
- Founding Document: The Constitution of the United States embodies this principle, most notably in the Preamble, which begins with "We the People," affirming that the power of the government is derived from the people themselves. The requirement for elections and the ability to amend the Constitution also demonstrate this idea.