The Enligtenment

John Locke had an enormous influence on Thomas Jefferson's writing. Take a second to examine these quotes:

“Men have rights by their nature... We give up our right to ourselves exact [revenge]

for crimes in return for [nonjudgmental] justice backed by overwhelming force. We

retain the right to life and liberty, and gain the right to just, impartial protection of our

property."

"Society creates order and grants the state its [purpose]... The only important role of

the state is to ensure that justice is seen to be done"

"If a ruler seeks absolute power, if the acts both as judge and participant in disputes, he

puts himself in a state of war with his subjects and we have the right and the duty to kill

such rulers and their servants."

Questions:

1. What rights are all men entitled to according to Locke?

2. According to Locke what is the purpose of a government?

3. According to Locke what do citizens have the right too if their ruler is abusing power?

4. According Locke why would people falsely believe they do not have the right to use force?

And here is a good site to review the causes of the Revolution