John Lockes Two Treatises on Government DBQ Worksheet | Student ... - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: John Lockes Two Treatises on Government DBQ Worksheet | Student ...
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Step-by-step solution for: John Lockes Two Treatises on Government DBQ Worksheet | Student ...
Let's analyze the provided excerpt from John Locke’s *Two Treatises on Government* (1690) and answer each question based on the text.
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The passage discusses the purpose and limits of government in a society. Locke argues that when individuals form a society, they give up their natural rights to use force or make laws individually, but only to ensure protection of life, liberty, and property. They create a legislative body (government) to make laws, enforce them, and protect people from external threats like invasion. The government’s power is limited to what is necessary for public safety and security. If the legislature oversteps its bounds—by abusing power, seizing people’s property, or violating their rights—the people have the right to resist and establish a new government.
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Answer:
When people join a society, they agree to give up their individual power to act as judges or lawmakers so that a fair system of laws can be created and enforced. This system is meant to protect everyone’s life, liberty, and property. A legislative body is formed to make laws, judge disputes, and defend against outside threats. However, if this government abuses its power—such as by taking people’s property or breaking the trust placed in it—the people have the right to overthrow it and set up a new one to ensure their safety and freedom.
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Answer:
People form governments to protect their natural rights—especially life, liberty, and property. In the state of nature, individuals have these rights, but there is no reliable way to enforce justice or prevent harm. By forming a society and government, people agree to give up some personal freedoms so that laws can be made and enforced fairly, ensuring peace, safety, and protection from both internal conflicts and external threats like invasion.
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Answer:
When people enter a society, they give up their natural right to judge disputes and use force individually. Instead of acting as their own judges or enforcing justice on their own, they entrust these powers to a collective authority—the legislature or government. They also give up the ability to make laws for themselves and instead accept laws made by a representative body. However, they do not give up their fundamental rights to life, liberty, and property; they only surrender the means of enforcing those rights personally.
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Answer (Example – you can adjust based on personal opinion):
Yes, I agree with John Locke because his ideas support the idea of a fair and limited government that protects individual rights. It makes sense that people should come together to create laws and maintain order, but the government must stay within its limits. If a government becomes tyrannical or starts taking away people’s rights, then the people have the right to change it. This idea is foundational to democratic societies and helps prevent abuse of power. However, some might argue that it’s difficult to know exactly when a government has become abusive, and revolutions can be dangerous. Still, Locke’s emphasis on consent and protection of rights remains important today.
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- These answers are based on Locke’s social contract theory, where government legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed.
- His ideas heavily influenced the American Revolution and modern democratic thought.
- The questions encourage critical thinking about rights, governance, and revolution.
Let me know if you'd like a version tailored for younger students or a more formal academic tone!
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Original Text Summary:
The passage discusses the purpose and limits of government in a society. Locke argues that when individuals form a society, they give up their natural rights to use force or make laws individually, but only to ensure protection of life, liberty, and property. They create a legislative body (government) to make laws, enforce them, and protect people from external threats like invasion. The government’s power is limited to what is necessary for public safety and security. If the legislature oversteps its bounds—by abusing power, seizing people’s property, or violating their rights—the people have the right to resist and establish a new government.
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Question 1: Summarize the text in your own words.
Answer:
When people join a society, they agree to give up their individual power to act as judges or lawmakers so that a fair system of laws can be created and enforced. This system is meant to protect everyone’s life, liberty, and property. A legislative body is formed to make laws, judge disputes, and defend against outside threats. However, if this government abuses its power—such as by taking people’s property or breaking the trust placed in it—the people have the right to overthrow it and set up a new one to ensure their safety and freedom.
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Question 2: According to Locke, why do people form governments?
Answer:
People form governments to protect their natural rights—especially life, liberty, and property. In the state of nature, individuals have these rights, but there is no reliable way to enforce justice or prevent harm. By forming a society and government, people agree to give up some personal freedoms so that laws can be made and enforced fairly, ensuring peace, safety, and protection from both internal conflicts and external threats like invasion.
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Question 3: When people enter a society, what do they give up?
Answer:
When people enter a society, they give up their natural right to judge disputes and use force individually. Instead of acting as their own judges or enforcing justice on their own, they entrust these powers to a collective authority—the legislature or government. They also give up the ability to make laws for themselves and instead accept laws made by a representative body. However, they do not give up their fundamental rights to life, liberty, and property; they only surrender the means of enforcing those rights personally.
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Question 4: Do you agree with John Locke? Why or why not?
Answer (Example – you can adjust based on personal opinion):
Yes, I agree with John Locke because his ideas support the idea of a fair and limited government that protects individual rights. It makes sense that people should come together to create laws and maintain order, but the government must stay within its limits. If a government becomes tyrannical or starts taking away people’s rights, then the people have the right to change it. This idea is foundational to democratic societies and helps prevent abuse of power. However, some might argue that it’s difficult to know exactly when a government has become abusive, and revolutions can be dangerous. Still, Locke’s emphasis on consent and protection of rights remains important today.
---
Final Notes:
- These answers are based on Locke’s social contract theory, where government legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed.
- His ideas heavily influenced the American Revolution and modern democratic thought.
- The questions encourage critical thinking about rights, governance, and revolution.
Let me know if you'd like a version tailored for younger students or a more formal academic tone!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of john locke worksheet.
