Source: John Locke, Second Treatise on Civil Government, 1690. Note: John Locke (1632-1704) lived in England during both the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution. When Locke was born, England's form of government was an absolute monarchy in which the king or queen had power to rule and sometimes asked for advice and assistance from Parliament. In 1689, the English Parliament passed the Bill of Rights. This law reversed the role of king and Parliament making Parliament more powerful than the king. 2 3 "Of the State of Nature" (W)e must consider, what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of per- fect freedom to order their actions, and dispose [manage] of their possessions and per- sons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature.... There [is] nothing more evident, than that creatures of the same species and rank... should also be equal one amongst another without subordination or subjection [lowering of position].... "Of the Dissolution of Government" (W)hen the government is dissolved [ended], the people are at liberty to provide for themselves, by erecting a new legislative [lawmaking body],... for the society can never lose the native [natural] and original right it has to preserve itself, which can only be done by a settled legislative, and a fair and impartial execution of the laws made by it. But the state of mankind is not so miserable that they are not capable of using this rem- edy, ... they have not only a right to get out of [a failed government], but to prevent it. Document Analysis 1. What does John Locke mean when he says that all men are naturally in "a state of perfect freedom ... within the bounds of the law of nature"? 2. What does Locke have to say about human equality? 3. According to Locke, what "native" [natural] right does society possess? What institution is created to protect this right? 4. According to Locke, who has the right to create a new government if the old government fails? 5. Based on these two passages, what would you say is Locke's main idea? This page may be reproduced for classroom use 13 Document A Source: John Locke, Second Treatise on Civil Government, 1690. Note: John Locke (1632-1704) lived in England during both the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution. When Locke was born, England's form of government was an absolute monarchy in which the king or queen had power to rule and sometimes asked for advice and assistance from Parliament. In 1689, the English Parliament passed the Bill of Rights. This law reversed the role of king and Parliament making Parliament more powerful than the king. 2 3 "Of the State of Nature" (W)e must consider, what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of per- fect freedom to order their actions, and dispose [manage] of their possessions and per- sons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature.... There [is] nothing more evident, than that creatures of the same species and rank... should also be equal one amongst another without subordination or subjection [lowering of position].... *** "Of the Dissolution of Government" (W)hen the government is dissolved [ended], the people are at liberty to provide for themselves, by erecting a new legislative [lawmaking body], ... for the society can never À lose the native [natural] and original right it has to preserve itself, which can only be done by a settled legislative, and a fair and impartial execution of the laws made by it. But the state of mankind is not so miserable that they are not capable of using this rem- edy, ... they have not only a right to get out of [a failed government], but to prevent it. Document Analysis 1. What does John Locke mean when he says that all men are naturally in "a state of perfect freedom ... within the bounds of the law of nature"? 2. What does Locke have to say about human equality? 3. According to Locke, what "native" [natural] right does society possess? What institution is created to protect this right? 4. According to Locke, who has the right to create a new government if the old government fails? 5. Based on these two passages, what would you say is Locke's main idea? may be reproduced for classroom use 13