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English Philosopher

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Locke believed that the government should just be in place to protect the basic rights of the people. These rights were typically thought of as life, liberty, and property. He argued that people were born with these rights, to live, be free, and to own. He thought these were crucial ideas that should be the government's priority. They were also very basic principles to avoid giving the government too much enforcement power over the people.

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Locke believed there was a law of nature that all man should understand and follow. He saw it as an underlying system of morals. He argued that they had always existed and had been preset. This law of nature laid out what was right and wrong. He argued that without some form of basic law of what actions were prohibited no one could be trusted.

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Locke believed that power and participation in law were key to maintaining order. Without full and equal participation they wouldn't be able to trust one another to follow the preset rules of nature. He believed it was up to the government to protect and enforce full participation of the rules set in place. He saw it as the government's responsibility to ensure the best for the people. He also wanted to make sure their powers made sense and did not have too much effect.

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Locke believed in toleration of religious freedom. He thought the government's role was to protect the freedom of the people. That included their freedom to practice religion in the way that they wanted to. He further argued that the government should stay out of the debate on religion. He felt that it was not the place of the government to decide.

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Locke believed that without any form of government man would resort back to a chaotic nature. Without the government protecting essential liberties everyone is in danger. People would resort back to uncivilized ways. Without the government there is no order. No one to enforce the rules of nature and the people's basic rights.

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The main way the founding fathers were influenced by the ideas of John Locke is by his idea of undeniable human rights. This is one of America's key principles and was included by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. As stated by ushistory.org "If the government should fail to protect these rights, its citizens would have the right to overthrow that government. This idea deeply influenced Thomas Jefferson as he drafted the Declaration of Independence." Locke's ideas had a strong effect on the contents of the declaration regarding the rights and freedoms of the people of the United States. It is partially because of him that the founding fathers took those ideas into such consideration when constructing the important document.

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Moseley, Alexander. “John Locke: Political Philosophy.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, www.iep.utm.edu/locke-po/.
“Foundations of American Government.” Ushistory.org, Independence Hall Association, www.ushistory.org/gov/2.asp.

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“John Locke.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 27 June 2019, www.biography.com/scholar/john-locke.
“Laws of Nature NOT Taught in Physics Class.” Ronald E. Yates, 14 Apr. 2019, www.ronaldyatesbooks.com/2019/04/laws-of-nature-not-taught-in-physics-class/.
“2. Limited Government.” U.S. Constitution, www.constitution11romine.weebly.com/2-limited-government.html.