(1) The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property... (2) Whenever the legislators (try] to take away and destroy the property of the
people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves in
a state of war with the people, who are thereupon [freed] from any further
obedience ...
(3) [T]the people who have a right to resume their original liberty, and by the
establishment of a new legislative, provide for their own safety and security.
Source: John Locke, An Essay Concerning the True Original, Extent and End
of Civil Government, XIX, Section 222
How did the ideas in this passage influence the Founding Fathers?
They decided to create a system of checks and balances.
They decided to rebel against the British government.
They decided to separate the powers of government among three branches.
They chose to remain loyal to the King of England.