When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, it can be said that the theories of government of those scholars which influenced him most were not far from his thoughts. The theory of revolution Jefferson outlined when stating the reasons for and justifications of the American colonies" separation from the rule of England echoes closely the theory of government presented by John Locke in his Second Treatise of Government. Jefferson's theory of revolution somewhat mirrors Hobbes's idea that the "natural rights of the citizen"(Source Reader 103) are the basis for and the moral and ethical foundation of the modern government. The similarity ends there, however. Jefferson's theory of revolution, as well as Locke's theory of government, could stand only as counterparts and arguments against Hobbes's belief in a monarchial government, which he deemed Leviathan. It is clear that more ideals from Locke's theory of government found their way into the epic declaration that set America free. .
Locke, in his Second Treatise of Government, described what a government should and should not be, and strongly insisted that government exists as one of the basic institutions in the world of human affairs, meant to protect the natural rights of humankind. Locke stated the most crucial natural rights as being "life, liberty, and property." Every man or woman has an equal, natural right to live freely as he or she sees fit, Locke said. Freedom could not be infringed upon or corralled, but exercising individual freedom must not include harming another person or stepping on his or her freedom. Locke said of humans" natural state, "Man being born.with a title to perfect freedom and an uncontrolled enjoyment of all the rights and privileges of the law of Nature, equally with any other Man.hath by nature a power.to preserve his property- that is, his life, liberty and estate." (Source Reader117).
