John Locke's Second Treatise of Government and Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence are two of the most influential writings of all time. Many countries over the centuries have used these writings as the basis for their proclamation of independence. These authors laid the foundation for the idea of the State of Nature which is the founding base of our government.
             The Second Treatise of Government and the Declaration of Independence are very similar in their writings, which proves Locke's work had an impact on Jefferson. Surprisingly as it is, Jefferson has been accused over the centuries for plagiarizing John Locke. .
             The biggest similarity between both writings is that they are strongly focused on the belief that all men are created equal and have the right to happiness. Locke explains that humans have natural rights of life, liberty, and property. Jefferson restates this clai

John Locke, Concerning Civil Government, , second essay, Ch. 19Thomas Jefferson [Plagiarist], Declaration of Independence,
Secondly: I answer, such revolutions happen not upon every little mismanagement in public affairs. Great mistakes in the ruling part, many wrong and inconvenient laws, and all the slips of human frailty will be borne by the people without mutiny or murmur. But if a long train of abuses, prevarications, and artifices, all tending the same way, make the design visible to the people, and they cannot but feel what they lie under, and see whither they are going, it is not to be wondered that they should then rouse themselves, and endeavor to put the rule into such hands which may secure to them the end for which government was at first erected Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design

How Jefferson Validates His Arguments in The Declaration of Independence

Table of contents

  1. The Philosophical Framework
  2. A List of Grievances
  3. The Tone: Urgent Yet Hopeful
  4. Citing Historical Precedents
  5. Appealing to Common Sense
  6. The Call to Action
  7. Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy

When we think about the Declaration of Independence, we often picture a bunch of colonial dudes in powdered wigs signing a fancy document. But let’s dig deeper into what Thomas Jefferson actually did to make his case for independence from Britain. His approach was not just about declaring freedom; it was about laying down a philosophical foundation that would resonate with people and justify the colonies' break from British rule.

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The Philosophical Framework

First off, Jefferson starts off strong by anchoring his argument in Enlightenment philosophy. He invokes ideas from great thinkers like John Locke, particularly the concepts of natural rights and the social contract. Jefferson argues that all men are created equal and endowed with certain

Did Thomas Jefferson Plagiarize? Is There Really a Scandal? Read the Following to Find Out

Did Thomas Jefferson plagiarize? Is there really a scandal? Read the following to find out.

Perhaps no other individual influenced the author of the Declaration of Independence more than John Locke. But the question remains: did the author of the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson copy Mr. Locke.

John Locke was a British philosopher who rejected the idea that Kings had a divine right (god given right) to rule. Instead, Locke developed a theory based on the argument that people are the source of government’s power; an idea known as “popular sovereignty.”

John Locke’s Theory

 He argued that people are born with certain “natural” or “inalienable” rights. These rights include the right to “life, liberty and property.” Government did not give people these rights because people are born with them and as such, no government can take them away.

 According to Locke, people formed governments to protect their natural rights. People enter into what is known as a “social contract.” Under this contract, people agreed to obey the government who in return, had the responsibility to

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