Locke’s Natural Rights Influence Jefferson
John Locke, a British Enlightenment philosopher, influenced the colonists in their pursuit of
independence. John Locke stated that all people have certain “natural rights” of life, liberty,
and property that cannot be taken away. John Locke made a great impression on Thomas
Jefferson as he took on the task of writing the declaration of independence.
Directions: Look at the Pyramid and answer the questions.
“Ordered
Liberty”
“Ordere
Government
among men
People obeyd laws=Gov’t
Liberty”
protect
rights
“Social Contract” among the people:
I agree to give up some of my rights and so do
you in order to live in harmony with each other
All government power is with people
According to Locke, where does power reside?
According to Locke, what is the government’s job?
What did Locke believe all people have that rulers
could not take away?
What could people do if their government
threatened their rights?
What American document contains many of
Locke’s Enlightenment ideas?
Foundational Ideas
John Locke was an Enlightenment philosopher from England who wrote the Two Treatise on Government in
which he explained that individuals have natural rights which are the rights to life, liberty, and property.
Locke also explained that the power of the government comes from the people who agree to sacrifice some of
their freedom in order to have the protection of the government. In the Treatise, Locke argues that if the
government is not protecting the rights of its people then the people have the right to overthrow that
government.
Thomas Paine was an English immigrant to America who produced a pamphlet known as Common Sense that
challenged the rule of the American colonies by the King of England. Colonists were also inspired to become
Patriots by the Virginian Patrick Henry who said, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Common Sense and
Henry’s speech were read by many American colonists during the mid-1700s and contributed to a growing
sentiment for independence from England.
Beginning in May of 1775 delegates from all thirteen colonies began meeting in Philadelphia to help manage
the war effort in what was known as the Second Continental Congress. In June, 1776 the Second Continental
Congress formed a committee to write a Declaration of Independence, which would formally separate the
colonies from the British Empire forever. Of the committee Thomas Jefferson was selected to write the first
draft of the Declaration. Jefferson, highly influenced by John Locke’s work, explains in the Declaration that
individuals have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Declaration also explains that the
people trust the government to protect their rights and that when the government does not protect those rights
then the government should be overthrown. The Declaration attempts to explain why the colonies feel they
must rebel and break away from England.
Foundational Ideas
John Locke was an Enlightenment philosopher from England who wrote the Two Treatise on Government in
which he explained that individuals have natural rights which are the rights to life, liberty, and property.
Locke also explained that the power of the government comes from the people who agree to sacrifice some of
their freedom in order to have the protection of the government. In the Treatise, Locke argues that if the
government is not protecting the rights of its people then the people have the right to overthrow that
government.
Thomas Paine was an English immigrant to America who produced a pamphlet known as Common Sense that
challenged the rule of the American colonies by the King of England. Colonists were also inspired to become
Patriots by the Virginian Patrick Henry who said, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Common Sense and
Henry’s speech were read by many American colonists during the mid-1700s and contributed to a growing
sentiment for independence from England.
Beginning in May of 1775 delegates from all thirteen colonies began meeting in Philadelphia to help manage
the war effort in what was known as the Second Continental Congress. In June, 1776 the Second Continental
Congress formed a committee to write a Declaration of Independence, which would formally separate the
colonies from the British Empire forever. Of the committee Thomas Jefferson was selected to write the first
draft of the Declaration. Jefferson, highly influenced by John Locke’s work, explains in the Declaration that
individuals have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Declaration also explains that the
people trust the government to protect their rights and that when the government does not protect those rights
then the government should be overthrown. The Declaration attempts to explain why the colonies feel they
must rebel and break away from England.
Examining the Declaration: How Locke Influenced the Declaration of Independence?
Use the copy of the Declaration (p.109) to find the passage that matches Locke’s idea.
Locke
Jefferson
“All people are free and equal”
“All people…have ‘natural rights’ of life,
liberty, and property”
“All original power resides in
the people”
Governments are instituted among men.
“Government’s powers are limited to
those the people have consented to give
it”
“Whenever government becomes a
threat…people have a right to alter or
overthrow it”
**When Jefferson writes that “all men are created equal” who is left out?**
It’s Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration
1.) List any famous individuals you see portrayed in the music video:
2.) What makes it too late to apologize?
3.) What ‘rights’ do they emphasize in the video?