Declaration of Independence

In John Locke's Second Treatise of Government he creates a model of his ideal civil government, which is created by the people to ensure their “natural rights” -- life, liberty, and property.

I believe that Thomas Jefferson in writing The Declaration of Independence, was influenced by Locke’s views. You can see this from the preamble to The Declaration of Independence. It portrays Locke’s ideas of the “state of nature” and the “politic society”.

I think Thomas Jefferson not only read John Locke's Second Treatise of government, but agreed with many of his ideas and pulled from it to for the Declaration of Independence.

The biggest comparison would be John Locke wanted everyone to have the the "right to life, liberty, and property" which is used in the declaration as "right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." So you can see that Thomas Jefferson pulled from John Locke's ideas.