Question

John Locke, an enlightenment-era philosopher,influenced the American movement for independence. Locke believe that all most people were entitled to natural lights. Which quotation from the preamble to the Declaration of Independence refers to natural lights?

Answer 1

John Locke was an Enlightenment philosopher who developed a theory of a social contract in which citizens gave up some of their natural freedoms in return for property protection. He believed that Government existed to protect "life, liberty, and property." Jefferson was greatly influenced by this and the early American leaders had many debates about what the role of government should be. Jefferson would steal from Locke when he wrote about "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"