how were john locke's view evident in the declaration of independence?
http://www.crf-usa.org/foundations-of-our-constitution/natural-rights.html
To determine how John Locke's views were evident in the Declaration of Independence, you can follow these steps:
1. Familiarize yourself with John Locke's philosophy: John Locke was a prominent Enlightenment thinker who greatly influenced the development of democratic ideals. His most influential work, "Two Treatises of Government," emphasized concepts such as natural rights, social contract theory, and government by consent.
2. Read the Declaration of Independence: The Declaration of Independence is a foundational document for the United States, written primarily by Thomas Jefferson. It outlines the reasons why the American colonies sought independence from British rule.
3. Identify key concepts from Locke's philosophy in the Declaration:
a) Natural Rights: John Locke argued that individuals possess fundamental rights, including life, liberty, and property. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson adapted these ideas, asserting that all individuals are endowed with certain unalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
b) Government by Consent: Locke believed that legitimate governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed. In the Declaration, Jefferson declared that governments are established to secure the rights of the people and derive their just powers from the consent of those they govern.
c) Right to Revolution: Locke contended that when governments fail to protect people's rights and violate the social contract, individuals have the right to revolt and establish a new government. The Declaration of Independence reflects this view as it proclaims that when a government becomes destructive of people's rights, it is not only their right but their duty to overthrow it and create a new system.
4. Find specific passages from the Declaration that illustrate Locke's influence: For example, the opening lines of the Declaration state, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." This echoes Locke's emphasis on natural rights.
Overall, John Locke's influence on the Declaration of Independence is apparent through the incorporation of ideas relating to natural rights, government by consent, and the right to revolution. By understanding Locke's philosophy and carefully analyzing the Declaration, you can identify specific instances where his views are evident.