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Influence Of Social Contract On Declaration Of Independence

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Many of John Lock's ideas about social contracts were used in the Declaration of Independence. His ideas were used to explain peoples rights, the purpose of governments, and citizens responsibilities to abusive governments.

Locke believed that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and property. In Locke's essay Social Contract, he says, "We retain the right to life and liberty, and gain the right to just, impartial protection of our property." In the Declaration of independence Thomas Jefferson changed that to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Locke believed that the citizens had a right and responsibility to overthrow an unjust government. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson says, "That whenever any form of

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