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How Did John Locke Influence America

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John Locke was one of the philosophers who sparked the idealism of pro representation in the colonies in North America. The ideas of John Locke were seen as a guideline for the British colonies to set a foundation for democracy; it is seen as. His book Two Treatises of Government was “an appeal to heaven” and was planning to rid Charles the II of his position as a monarchy. John Locke did not intend to start up a revolution in the British colonies, but rather intended his book to critique against Absolutism. To some extent John Locke’s ideas were good for the colonies in North America and the United States.

John Locke ideas were innovative and were seen as influential in the British colonies in North America. He states in his book Two Treatises of Government the ideals of men having the right to their own property and being able to reap what you sow. …show more content…

He believed that the civil society was created to protect the people’s property and their liberty and if it is not being fulfilled the people are allowed to get rid it. This feeds into the current idea of democratic republic which is America now, however, Locke believes that “people are still supreme over all” (pg. 367) which can be a troublesome, especially since this can lead to chaos. Although it is important that citizens have a say there should still be an order and a higher power to overlook and guide the people. (pg. 309,326) Locke is not refuting the claim that pro-representation is better than monarchy, however he does not fully support the monarchy. (pg. 337) His claim was that rather than giving all the power to the king himself, to give the equality to the people. (pg. 357) Giving the power to the people allowed the laws to benefit the people’s needs and way of living. (pg. 363) He believes that as along as the king has limits to his power and the parliament is more powerful monarchy is just as

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