Question

two treatises of government john locke

introduction
english philosopher john locke (1632–1704) published two treatises of government in 1690. locke believed that all people had the same natural rights of life, liberty, and property. in this essay, locke states that the primary purpose of government is to protect these natural rights. he also states that governments hold their power only with the consent of the people. locke’s ideas greatly influenced revolutions in america and france.

primary source
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but though men, when they enter into society, give up the equality, liberty, and executive power they had in the state of nature into the hands of society,—the power of the society or legislative constituted by them can never be supposed to extend farther than the common good.—whoever has the legislative or supreme power of any commonwealth, is bound to govern by established standing laws, promulgated published or made known and known to the people, and not by extemporary without any preparation decrees, by indifferent and upright judges, who are to decide controversies by those laws; and to employ the force of the community at home only in the execution of such laws, or abroad to prevent or redress foreign injuries, and secure the community from inroads advances at the expense of someone and invasion. and all this to be directed to no other end but the peace, safety, and public good of the people.

the reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property, and the end why they choose and authorize a legislative is that there may be laws made, and rules set, as guards and fences to the properties of all the society.

whenever, therefore, the legislative power shall transgress go beyond, break this fundamental rule of society, and either by ambition, fear, folly, or corruption, endeavor to grasp themselves, or put into the hands of any other, an absolute power over the lives, liberties, and estates of the people; by this breach of trust they forfeit the power the people had put into their hands for quite contrary ends, and it devolves passes to the people, who have a right to resume their original liberty, and by the establishment of a new legislative (such as they shall think fit), provide for their own safety and security.

summarize: what does locke say is the duty of government?

in the words of locke, government as a whole has to pass laws that will be beneficial to the public. this involves upholding current laws, choosing impartial judges to settle conflicts, protecting people’s property, and ensuring peace and safety. the people have the right to take back control and establish their own government for their safety if the government collapses.

cite evidence: what evidence is there in the text to support locke’s belief that a land should only be governed with the consent of the governed?

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identify cause and effect: based on what you already know, what aspects of locke’s treatises likely affected the events leading to the founding of america? cite evidence from the text to support your response

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Explanation:

For the "Cite Evidence" question:

Find text showing government power needs people's consent. The relevant sentence is: "governments hold their power only with the consent of the people" (from introduction) and in the primary source, "when men... give up... power... into the hands of society" implies power comes from people's transfer (consent). Also, "by this breach of trust they forfeit the power the people had put into their hands... the people... have a right to resume their original liberty" shows power is based on people's consent.

Locke's ideas on natural rights (life, liberty, property) and government by consent influenced American founding. The text says "Locke’s ideas greatly influenced revolutions in America and France". His view that people can overthrow a government that breaches trust (from primary source: "the people... have a right to resume their original liberty... establish a new legislative") supported colonists’ right to rebel against British rule (no consent, violated rights). His natural rights idea (government protects life, liberty, property) aligned with colonists’ grievances (taxation without consent, rights violations).

Answer:

Evidence includes: "governments hold their power only with the consent of the people" (introduction); and from the primary source, "when men, when they enter into society give up the equality, liberty, and executive power they had in the state of Nature into the hands of society" (showing power is from people’s transfer/consent) and "by this breach of trust they forfeit the power the people had put into their hands... the people... have a right to resume their original liberty" (showing power depends on people’s consent, as breach leads to people reclaiming power).

For the "Identify Cause and Effect" question: