How did John Locke's ideas justify the Glorious Revolution of 1689 in England? Why were John Locke's ideas important in the development of colonial political history in North America between 1689 and 1754?

Question

Answer:

Answer 1

An ideal answer will:
1. Discuss how Locke believed that humans were born free and that human nature was inherently driven by reason and tolerance.
2. Note Locke's belief that humans agreed to a social contract to live in a civil society because it suited their physical and mental purposes to leave the state of nature and establish a civil society to resolve conflicts.
3. Discuss Locke's justification of the revolution by insisting that all government rested on the natural, inherent rights of the governed including the right to life, health, property, and liberty.
4. Note how Locke's belief that neither kings nor Parliament were a supreme power, but rather that supreme power rested with the people, represented a major break with traditional belief in the divine right of kings.
5. Assert that while Locke did not believe that monarchy was inherently illegitimate, he believed that if the people believed a monarchy no longer served the interests of the people, it could be overthrown in a revolution.
6. Evaluate the influence of Locke's revolutionary idea of the basic "rights of all Englishmen" to accept, modify, or reject their government had in justifying the Glorious Revolution of 1689.
7. Evaluate the influence of Locke's revolutionary idea of the basic "rights of all Englishmen" to accept, modify, or reject their government had on colonial experiences and proposals for self-government, colonial assemblies and legislatures, and evolving local colonial ideas of liberty during the period, 1700-1754.
8. Write a concise and effective conclusion.