John Locke
By: Ariel Jun, Thanh Phang, and Noah Freedman
Biography
Shaftsbury, Lord Ashley, had a big influence on John Locke's career and political thoughts, one of which included the ideas concerning the natural rights of man and the social contract. He soon became a targeted person of the government and was forced to leave England in 1683 from a failed assassination attempt of King Charles II and his brother even though historical research proves his lack of involvement. He composed An Essay Concerning Human Understanding that examined the nature of human knowledge while exiled in Holland. He returned to England in 1688 when his essay was published and during his return, King James II had fled the country allowing the Whig party, whom pushed for constitutional monarchism and stood in opposition to the dominant Tories, to rise in power. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 forever changed the English government, which power was moved to Parliament, and perceived Locke as a hero to many.
Locke's ideas of natural rights, life, liberty, and right to own property contributed to the development of liberalism that in turn fueled the ideas of the colonial independence from England. His works heavily influenced the United States founding documents. He also spread ideas of the model of separation of church and state.
Integrity
-Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values
Locke had integrity because he was a strong believer in the natural rights of man. He wrote about his political philosophies concerning topic of human rights and knowledge, his most famous being "Two Treaties of Government". He had also written An Essay Concerning Human Understanding that had further examined human knowledge and created many emotional responses to the people. This writing impacted not only England but also America, and France.
Citizenship
John didn't really have citizenship. He did not contribute in the communities of England and had instead "rebelled" against the government. He had spoken to people through his writings and influenced others to also go against the government. Not only was he rebellious, But he was kicked out of the country literally making him not have citizenship. Usually citizenship includes support for their country as well as participation to help their country grow but as seen from the actions of John Locke, he did not have citizenship for his home country England.
Works Cited
"John Locke Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2013.
"John Locke Biography." YouTube. YouTube, 25 May 2012. Web. 28 Aug. 2013.
"Selected Works of John Locke." Selected Works of John Locke. Bio. True Life, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2013.
"John Locke." OpenMarket. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2013.