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How Did John Locke Influence The Declaration Of Independence

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After reading both the American Declaration of Independence (US 1776) and the Two Treatises on Government by John Locke, it is clear that Locke had a profound influence on the author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson. Every major principle from the introduction of the Declaration derived in some form or another from the ideas outlined in Locke’s Treatise. All men are created equal and the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness were first expressed by Locke. Also, the concept of the consent of the governed came from Locke as well. These are the two driving principles that lead to the authoring of the Declaration of Independence. The colonies felt that Britain had trampled on those fundamental rights

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