John Locke The Unofficial Founder of America

John Locke is one of the most important, but largely unknown names in American history. A well renowned English philosopher, educator, government official, and theologian. The Impact of John Lock’s theses had on the Revolutionary war and the subsequent founding of the United States, is apparent to most who study his writings. Arguably Locke’s most influential work is his Second Treatise of Government. His argument was that government should be built on a mutual agreement (contract theory) and when consent of the governed is loss, or when the natural rights and liberties are violated, it is the right of the people to rise up and replace the current government. This theory can easily be seen in the Deceleration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Locke’s arguments for …show more content…
Rights that are God-given and can neither be taken or even given away. Among these intrinsic natural rights, Locke said, are "life, liberty, and property." There is a direct parallel between Locke’s arguments and those of the Declaration of Independence “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.” Locke’s idea extends beyond the word life, liberty, and happiness, but also implies that it is the states responsibility to ensure the preservation and protection of these natural rights as implied in our Declaration of Independence and put into words in our constitution. Locke’s ideas on natural rights and liberties were important to our founders, and should be important to Americans especially in today’s political climate. These fundamental ideas are what led to an equal society where free speech is tolerated and there is a right to bear