For This Assignment You Will Find At Least 3 Examples Of Joh

For This Assignment You Will Find At Least3examples Of John Lockes I

For this assignment, you will find at least 3 examples of John Locke's influence in the Declaration of Independence. You are expected to cite specific parts of the Declaration of Independence which means your response must include citations in the text. Explain fully how these are John Locke's ideas. You many need to do some outside research on John Locke in order to complete this assignment. If you use outside sources, you must add a works cited list to your assignment. Failure not to cite material and/ or not include a works cited page will result in a zero for this assignment. This assignment should be words in length.

Paper For Above instruction

The influence of John Locke's political philosophy on the Declaration of Independence is profound and evident in numerous aspects of the document. Locke's ideas about natural rights, the social contract, and the right to overthrow unjust governments significantly shaped the founding fathers’ rationale for independence. This essay identifies three clear examples of Locke's influence in the Declaration, supported by specific citations and explanations of how Locke's ideas are reflected.

Firstly, Locke’s concept of natural rights is prominently reflected in the Declaration’s assertion that all men are endowed with certain unalienable rights. Locke maintained that individuals inherently possess rights to “life, liberty, and property” (Locke, Second Treatise, Chapter II). The Declaration echoes this when it states that “they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights” (Declaration, 1776). This phrase underscores Locke’s belief that natural rights are inherent and cannot justly be taken away by governments without consent. The emphasis on “unalienable rights” indicates that these rights are fundamental to human existence, mirroring Locke's philosophy that governments are established to protect these rights, and if they fail in this duty, the people have the right to alter or abolish them.

Secondly, Locke's social contract theory is evident in the Declaration’s claim that governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed. Locke argued that political authority arises from an agreement among individuals to form a government that safeguards their natural rights (Locke, Second Treatise, Chapter IX). The Declaration reflects this with the statement that “governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” (Declaration, 1776). This implies that the authority of the British monarchy was illegitimate because it did not have the consent of the colonists, thus justifying their decision to break away. Locke's idea that government exists by the consent of the people is central to the Declaration's rationale for independence.

Thirdly, Locke’s right to overthrow a government that becomes oppressive is a core idea underpinning the Declaration. Locke maintained that if a government violates the natural rights of its citizens or becomes destructive of the ends for which it was established, the people have the right to revolution (Locke, Second Treatise, Chapter IX). This principle is explicitly incorporated into the Declaration’s rejection of King George III, stating that he has “abdicated Government” and become a “despotism” which justifies the colonies’ decision to dissolve their political ties (Declaration, 1776). The assertion that “it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government” directly reflects Locke’s argument for the right of revolution when rulers breach their social contract.

In conclusion, John Locke's ideas about natural rights, the social contract, and the right of revolution are integral to the ideological foundation of the Declaration of Independence. The document’s emphasis on unalienable rights, government by consent, and the justification for revolution directly echo Locke’s political philosophy. These influences demonstrate how Locke’s theories shaped the fundamental principles upon which the United States was founded, emphasizing the importance of individual rights, legitimate government, and the right to dissent against tyranny.

References

• Locke, John. (1689). Second Treatise of Government. (Various editions)
• Declaration of Independence. (1776). National Archives.
• Cranston, M. (1967). John Locke: A Biography. Longmans.
• Laslett, P. (1988). The Political Philosophy of John Locke. Cambridge University Press.
• Taylor, H. (1996). Locke: The Politics of Equality. Cambridge University Press.
• Himmelfarb, G. (2004). The De-moralization of the American Revolution. History Today.
• Berkin, C. (2012). A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution. Harcourt.
• Mahoney, M. (2004). The Politics of John Locke. Routledge.
• Bailyn, B. (1992). The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.
• Wood, G. S. (1991). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books.