What was John Locke's influence on early American government and the colonies?

Question

List any examples you might know about how Locke influenced colonial Americans, please. :)

I know about his basic proposals because I read the Second Treatise of Government. I have also researched 10 sources that give very valuable information. What I am looking for is how his ideas specifically influenced Jefferson and Madison. The realm of my thesis includes the separation of powers, the natural law, the role of government, and the right to revolution. If you have any sites (other than wikipedia) that you can recommend, that would be great.

Answer 1

social contract theory, his theory on how one comes to possess property, humans as basically good, etc.

Answer 2

Locke's theories on Natural Law became the basis for the ideas expressed in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal and are endowed with certain inalienable rights. Locke called these Natural Rights. These in turn were important philosophical foundations of the Constitution. Jefferson and Madison were big fans of Locke.

Answer 3

are you kidding? he talked about individual rights between man and state, he also wrote of the tabula rasa, the blank slate, which we are all born with. Locke is really an interesting man, i suggest you look into him on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke

Answer 4

try