How did the theories of Hobbs and Locke influence our Framers?

Answer 1

The fact that Locke believed all men were capable of anything, that they were a blank slate, is much like the attitude of America today. The founding fathers thought that all men were created equal and they all had the same potential. This meant they should be treated equally and given the same opportunities. The founding fathers created the government to serve the people and gave the people the specific right to overthrow an unjust government without fear of repercussions. The fact that Locke thought the government should protect the rights and property of people is shown in the Bill of Rights. This is directly influenced by Locke's idea of overthrowing a King who did not rule in the best interests of his people. They each described how men are in a state of nature. Hobbs said men are made to want to keep as much as they can, for as long as they can. Locke believed that men can only harm other men to keep them from doing more evil. They each also had ideas on the type of government which is best to keep people from doing bad things, in the state of nature. Hobbs though that an "awe-inspiring" government would be best, Locke believed that people need a civil government, and that monarchy is bad. Altogether, the main point is that they both had ideas on how men are in the state of nature, and they each based their ideas of the best type of government on those ideas, which also influenced our founders.