John Lockes Influence on the Founding Fathers Essay

The Founding Fathers of the United States relied heavily on many of the principles taught by John Locke. Many of the principles of Locke’s Second Treatise of Government may easily be discovered in the Declaration of Independence with some minor differences in wording and order. Many of the ideas of the proper role of government, as found in the Constitution of the United States, may be discovered in the study of Locke. In order to understand the foundation of the United States, it is vital that one studies Locke. A few ideas from Hume may be found but the real influence was from Locke. Rousseau, on the other hand, had none. A few examples of the similarities of the Declaration and Locke’s Second Treatise of Government will suffice,†¦show more content†¦Finally, towards the end of the Declaration, Jefferson wrote that they were â€Å"appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World, for the Rectitude of our Intentions†¦And for the support of this Declarati on, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.† Again, the similarity to Locke is found. â€Å"Wherein the appeal lies only to Heaven, and in that state the injured party must judge for himself† (Locke 1690, XIX, 242). Thus, men â€Å"unite for the mutual preservation of their lives, liberties, and estates† (Locke 1690, IX, 123). Jefferson received a great deal of inspiration from Locke in writing the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration, however, is not a creation of government. The Constitution of the United States is the result of the Declaration. Locke influenced that form of government, as well. As stated before, Locke determined that the purpose of government is to protect life, liberty and property. In chapter IX, he gave us the basic concept of government. â€Å"First, there wants an established, settled, know law, received and allowed by com mon consent to be the standard of right and wrong, and the common measure to decide all controversies between them (P. 124). This, as he described later, is the legislative branch. He goes into more detail in chapter XI. â€Å"Secondly, there wants aShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of John Locke s The Of The Golden Era Essay1393 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Golden Era†. Leonardo da Vinci opened the door to the Renaissance and William Shakespeare treated us to the best writings and plays in the English language. Likewise, John Locke is a man who accomplished what many men could not. 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