In crafting the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers used the work of John Locke's Second Treatise on Government as an ideological framework. The similarities are notable especially in the claims against the King, but can also be found in other important aspects. Locke's concept of the state of nature is evident in the statements of the founders, while the influence of Locke's ideals on political power and the function of government can be seen in the arguments presented in the Declaration. Yet the two texts diverge in important ways; the most significant difference between the two documents is that the Declaration lacks some of the extreme views that Locke adopts in his discussion of the state of war. However, it is clear that the Declaration of Independence was built on Locke's concepts of government. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay John Locke's conception of the state of nature greatly influenced the writing of the Declaration. He dedicates the second chapter of the Second Treatise of Government to discussing the state into which he believes men are naturally born and the rights they deserve. Here he presents the idea that men are created as equal when he says: “for it is simply obvious that creatures of the same species and status, all born with the same advantages of nature and with the use of the same abilities, should also be equal” (Locke 3). This quote has such a strong influence on the Declaration because, by stating that the equality of men is self-evident, Locke made this idea appear indisputable. The founding fathers wanted a strong and unequivocal declaration to address to the King, which is why they were inspired by that passage to write the famous phrase: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal" (Declaration). This line not only conveys a powerful message, but also establishes the ideals that guide the rest of the text and become an important part in the formation of the new United States of America. The arguments put forward by Locke are often used to support the Declaration's claims. against the King. Starting from the first statement, reference is made to Locke's definition of political power. It defines political power as the right to make, regulate, and enforce laws, emphasizing that political power should be used only for the public good. The first statement uses this definition to support the contention that King George III has overstepped his power, as the authors state that "He has withheld his assent from the laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good" (Declaration). This statement refers to the king's veto on laws enacted by the colonies, laws that would improve their societies. To support this claim, the founding fathers provide examples of how laws enacted by the king harmed the colonies. These arguments lead to statements regarding the importance of consent when dealing with government. Two of the important ideals about government expressed by Locke are the importance of consent of the governed and the problems inherent in monarchy. He concludes his chapter on the state of nature by highlighting how consent is required from people; as Locke says, “and I also affirm that all men are naturally in the state of nature, and remain so until they consent to become members of some political society” (Locke 7). In the Declaration, the authors point out that the people of the colonies did not consent to the king's acts, further supporting the idea that the king abused his political power. This abuse is particularly evident,.