# data[].attributes.body
In the Second Treatise of Government Locke introduces the idea of the separation of powers. According to Locke "it may be too great a temptation to human frailty, apt to grasp at power, for the same persons, who have the power of making laws, to have also in their hands the power to execute them.” (Locke). Rather, it would be best to separate the powers into a legislative power which "has the right to direct how the force of the commonwealth should be employed," the executive power, and the federative power which "contains the power of war and peace, leagues and alliances, with all persons and communities without the commonwealth." (Locke). Articles I, II, and III of the U.S. Constitution divides the government into the legislative, federal, and executive branch as well as details on how different representatives, senators, and others shall be elected into office within the different branches.
Sources:
Locke , John. “SECOND TREATISE OF GOVERNMENT by JOHN LOCKE.” Gutenberg, Project Gutenberg, www.gutenberg.org/files/7370/7370-h/7370-h.htm.
http://guierlaw.com/john-lockes-influence-on-the-united-states-constitution/

# data[].attributes.body
Portrait by Sir Godfrey Kneller

# data[].attributes.body
As a deeply religious man, Locke believed in the divine revelations of the Bible and it's contents. In the Second Treatise Locke explains his ideas on the rights of man to own property. Locke believed that "God gave humans the world and its contents to have in common [...] But Locke also believed it was possible for individuals to appropriate individual parts of the world..." (IEP). Most important in understanding the relationship between Locke's faith and his ideas on property is the idea that God had given man a gift. Therefore, though man could attain property, limitations would have to be put in place to ensure that God's gift was truly appreciated. According to Locke there were two important limitations: the Waste Proviso and the Enough-And-As-Good Proviso (IEP). The Waste Proviso simply states that one shouldn't take more than necessary. An individual could obtain acres of private property, but only if they could ensure that it wouldn't go to waste. The Enough-And-As-Good Proviso is the idea that one should take no more than one's own fair share. If God has given man a gift, then man should not waste it. If God has given the world for those to share "in common", than one shouldn't have more private property than what is fair.
Sources:
https://www.iep.utm.edu/locke/

# data[].attributes.body
Bust by W Milligan

# data[].attributes.body
John Locke was known to believe in religious toleration (with the exception of Catholics and Atheists). He argued that the Church was not concerned with the same matters that the government was and thus could not truly be pure in it's doctrine so long as it was tied within the politics of government. Thus neither the Church nor the government would benefit from the intertwined nature of their relation. In "A Letter Concerning Toleration" Locke writes "There are indeed, many cities and kingdoms that have embraced the faith of Christ, but they have retained their ancient form of government, with which the law of Christ hath not at all meddled. He, indeed, hath taught men how, by faith and good works, they may obtain eternal life; but He instituted no commonwealth" (Locke). In addition to this, Locke recognized that much of the fighting that persisted within Europe was as a result of the many different religious beliefs that existed. Once more the concern of different interests is a main argument for the separation of Church and state. The Church "deals with the private affairs of man, namely his soul and the afterlife, the state deals with man’s public affairs." ("John Locke").
Sources:
“John Locke.” Philosimply, www.philosimply.com/philosopher/locke-john.

# data[].attributes.body
Oil on canvas by John Greenhill

# data[].attributes.body
While the two terms sound similar, John Locke's beliefs allow for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between natural law and natural rights. In Chapter 2 of Second Treatise of Government John Locke states that men are free, equal, and have the liberty to do as they please "within the bounds of the law of nature" (Locke). These are the natural rights: life, liberty, and property. Also written within the Second Chapter is the idea of respect. According to Locke, an individual only has an obligation to respect other's rights so long as "his own preservation comes not in competition" (Locke). Therefore, along with natural rights, men have the responsibility to also respect the rights of others. This concept is natural law. As the article "John Locke and the Natural Law Tradition" puts it, "Natural law and natural rights coexist, but natural law is primary..." (John Locke | Natural Law, Natural Rights, and American Constitutionalism).

Sources:
Locke , John. “SECOND TREATISE OF GOVERNMENT by JOHN LOCKE.” Gutenberg, Project Gutenberg, www.gutenberg.org/files/7370/7370-h/7370-h.htm.
“John Locke | Natural Law, Natural Rights, and American Constitutionalism.” First Treatise of Government, "Of Government: Book I" | Natural Law, Natural Rights, and American Constitutionalism, www.nlnrac.org/earlymodern/locke#_ednref2.

# data[].attributes.headline
Locke's Influence on the Deceleration of Independence

# data[].attributes.subject
Locke's Influence on the Deceleration of Independence

# data[].attributes.body
1) As stated in the Natural Law and Natural Rights passage, John Locke believed in three main natural rights: life, liberty, and property. In the United States' Deceleration of Independence the second sentence reads "...that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness..." (Dec). While the third right was changed in the document, there is no doubt that Locke's beliefs on natural rights left an impact on the founding fathers.
2) In the Second Treatise of Government Locke outlined his beliefs on how a legitimate government was constructed. Namely that A) a government is given the right to rule by the people and B) should the government fail in providing or protecting the natural rights, the people had the authority to overthrow that government (Foundations of American Government).  In the Deceleration of Independence the founding fathers wrote "But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing
invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. " (Dec) .
Sources:
https://www.constitutionfacts.com/content/declaration/files/Declaration_ReadTheDeclaration.pdf
“Foundations of American Government.” Ushistory.org, Independence Hall Association, www.ushistory.org/gov/2.asp.

# data[].attributes.body
As a teacher himself, Locke had strong ideas on education and the methods used for teaching. As someone who grew up in seventeenth century England, Locke's views were progressive. Rote memorization and corporeal punishment were common in the English education system during this era, something that Locke was not fond of. Rather, Locke "emphasized the importance of teaching practical knowledge" and "recognized that children learn best when they are engaged with the subject matter" (IEP). It is likely that Locke took such great interest in the teaching of young people, as he was a strong believer in the power of education. It is in his  work "Some Thoughts Concerning Education" that Locke states "The only fence against the world, is a thorough knowledge of it" (Locke).
Sources: https://www.iep.utm.edu/locke/
Locke , John. “Online Library of Liberty.” What Social Classes Owe to Each Other - Online Library of Liberty, oll.libertyfund.org/titles/locke-the-works-vol-8-some-thoughts-concerning-education-posthumous-works-familiar-letters.

# data[].attributes.body
John Locke believed in the idea of tabula rasa, a "blank state", which is contrary to the nativist theory (IEP). Nativist theory of mind is the idea that some instincts are hardwired into the brain. A popular version of this belief lies in the idea that God placed innate knowledge at the time of man's creation. Therefore, John Locke's tabula rasa belief is simply the idea that, while the mind might be predisposition-ed or have inclinations of a sort, the mind is not working with these ideas until it is triggered by some exterior force (IEP). This overall idea is what defines empiricism: the belief that "all knowledge is derived from sense experience" (“Empiricism.”).
Sources:
https://www.iep.utm.edu/locke/
“Empiricism.” Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/empiricism?s=t.