Enlightenment ideas influenced the founding fathers a lot and the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution reflect the ideals of this movement. John Locke especially influenced the framers because he defended the idea of natural rights of life, liberty, and property, and arguments that the government’s role is to protect those rights. When the government fails to do so, the people have the natural right to rebel and form a new government. This ideal is very clear in the Declaration of Independence.