Two Treatises of Government

John Locke declares that every person is born with natural rights that cannot be taken away. These rights include the right to life and to own property; and freedom of opinion, religion, and speech. Two Treatises of Government argues that the chief purpose of government is to protect these rights. If a government does not adequately protect the citizens' liberty, they have the right to revolt. Locke's book strongly influenced Thomas Jefferson in the writing of the Declaration of Independence.