A Study and Comparison of The Delcaration and Second Treatise

From a brief overview Second Treatise on the Government written by John Locke and the Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson seem similar because they both describe the civil liberties of man in the new world; however, you quickly learn the differences in perception these authors had when discerning these rights.
It is obvious that the desire to state the given rights of man is what bonds the two documents the most. In the declaration it clearly states that all “men are given certain in amiable rights” (Jefferson), while in more detail, the Second Treatise lists these rights individually. Both documents also have an air of male dominance and tend to focus on the privileges the free men in America should have. Second Treatise explains certain rights, such as the power of authority. Locke continues to explain that in the order of authority and power, “men are God’s property” (Locke chapter 3).
Even within these similarities there are differences. The Second Treatise is very detailed in the rights of man, and even describes situations in which these rights apply best. A great example is Locke’s chapter on slavery when he states circumstances which slavery best works and what is expected of both parties in which he calls “ legitimate slavery” (Locke ch.4, section 22). One other important difference between the two is that Second Treatise focuses on what should be done to make sure that these rights are kept, and the Declaration largely discusses how England’s monarchy stripped the colonies of these rights.

References:

Jefferson, T. (1776). Declaration of Independence. Retrieved on October 26, 2007 from: http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/declaration_transcript.html

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&