Leaders Who Changed Society

All around the world, leaders and philosophers have changed nations and regions with their ideas and beliefs. Two of these people were John Locke and Mohandas Gandhi. John Locke believed the every person had natural rights, which were the right to life, liberty, and property and these rights could never be taken away. Mohandas Gandhi believed that violence was no the answer to problems, but peaceful protesting was, and so he was able to bring independence to India. Heir beliefs have changed societies for the better. John Locke was born on August 29, 1632 in Wrington, Somerset, England. He was an English philosopher who unlike other philosophers had a more positive view of human nature. He believed that all humans have the potential to do good in society. One belief that Locke had that has shaped society was his belief of natural rights. He believed that all humans are born free and equal, with three natural rights, the right to live, liberty, and the right to own property. This belief has shaped the governments everywhere. Societies with a democracy follow these laws and they are given to every individual and it can’t be taken way. Places like the United States follows natural rights and it is given to everyone. Another person whose ideas changed society was Mohandas Gandhi. He was born on October 2, 1869. He was a political and spiritual leader during the movement for India’s independence. He believed in non-violence and believed that every person was equal, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background and they should all be treated the same way. Before coming to India to protest against British rule, he was a lawyer in South Africa. When he returned to India in 1914, he protested British rule. Gandhi didn’t use brute force, but peaceful protests against the British. He got arrested many times for this. One of his most famous acts of defiance was the Salt March on March 12, 1930. Gandhi and the oppressed stopped buying British goods. One of these goods was salt. What they did was go to the ocean and get their own salt to defy the British. The British violently reacted and attacked them. This caused outrage all over the world and British goods were neglected by everyone. This forced the British to give India their independence. These two people have changed societies with their beliefs. John Locke’s belief of natural rights shaped governments. Mohandas Gandhi’s belief of non-violence led to the independence of India. They both helped change society for the better.