Critical Analysis of Two Historical Texts

The Declaration of Independence (Declaration) was written for the American people. The document clarified—to the American colonists—why the colonies were breaking-free of England’s rule. The Declaration also provided justification for self-governance. The Declaration states: “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having, in direct object, the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States” (Landy appendix I). This clarified why the United States broke free from the Crown. The justification was this: “…all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” (Landy appendix I).

John Locke’s The Second Treatise on Government (Treatise) was written for all humanity, regarding the issue of human rights, as governed under Natural law. Locke states in chapter II paragraph 7: “…law of Nature be observed, which willeth the peace and preservation of all mankind, the execution of the law of Nature is in that state put into every man's hands, whereby every one has a right to punish the transgressors” (Locke).

The strongest similarities between the two documents are the references to rights, under natural law, endowed by a Creator. The first sentence of the Declaration states: “…the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them…causes which impel them to separate” (Landy Appendix I). The last paragraph also has a reference to the Supreme Judge of the world—God—as the final authority for Americans seeking a free and independent state.
In the Treatise, chapter VII paragraph 77 Locke states: “GOD, having made man such a creature that, in His own judgment…(Locke) This statement ties into both the Creator theme and God as the ultimate Judge.

Another similarity is the famous phrase “all men are created equal”. This phrase appears almost verbatim in both texts.
In the Declaration, second paragraph: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal “(Landy appendix I).
In the Treatise Locke states: "That all men by nature are equal…"(Locke)

A big difference in the two texts involves the issue of slavery. Locke writes in chapter IV paragraph 22: “This freedom from absolute, arbitrary power is so necessary to…a man's preservation. For a man, not having the power of his own life, cannot by compact or his own consent enslave himself to any one, nor put himself under the absolute, arbitrary power of another to take away his life when he pleases”( Locke). Locke made the compelling argument that a violation of Natural law on one man affects all of society in a negative way.

The Declaration talks about unalienable rights and freedom from oppression but falls short of actually using the word “slavery”. Jefferson, when drafting the Declaration, was conflicted by the slavery issue. In the original draft of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson wrote a long paragraph called "the vehement philippic against Negro slavery" where he called the trade "a cruel war against human nature and a violation of the most sacred rights". Many states benefited from the slave trade and South Carolina and Georgia weren't going to sign the Declaration with that paragraph included, so Congress took out all discussion of the slave trade in the final draft (Landy 43).

Both documents bare many similarities. If the Declaration was not written with a copy of Locke’s work nearby, than America’s Founding Fathers had Treatise fresh in their memories as they drew inspiration for their own text.



Landy, Marc, and Sidney Milkis. American Government: Balancing Democracy and Rights. Boston: McGraw Hill 2004.

Locke, John. Second Treatise of Government. 1690. Retrieved on October 26, 2007 from:
http://ecampus.uwyo.edu/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=2609764&47=1126592&dt=10%2F22%2F2006+8%3A32%3A12+PM&UnitNumber=9&COID=57&UDPK=23683081&UPK=4490939&bhcp=1