How did John Locke influence Thomas Jefferson’s language in the Declaration of Independence?

John Locke’s political philosophy was a foundational influence on Thomas Jefferson’s drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson, who had studied Locke’s work, translated the philosopher's 17th-century prose into the eloquent language of the American colonies.12

Locke argued that individuals possess natural rights—specifically life, liberty, and property—that exist in a state of nature prior to the formation of civil society. He posited that government is established through a social contract to protect these rights, and if a government fails to do so, the people have a moral right to revolution.23

Jefferson adapted these concepts into the Declaration’s famous assertion that "all men are created equal" and are endowed with "unalienable Rights," including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". By framing the American struggle as a response to the violation of these fundamental principles, Jefferson utilized Lockean theory to justify the colonies' right to establish a government of their own choosing. This synthesis of natural law and political authority remains a cornerstone of democratic thought.123