John Locke, an English philosopher, is known as one of the most influential enlightenment thinkers. His work, “Two Treatises of Government”, not only challenged the authority and legitimacy of a King’s rule, but also established ideas that, although fostered by some, were not actively practiced. These ideas, such as consent of the governed, inspired colonist when writing the Constitution. In his work, “Two Treatises of Government”, Locke stated:
“Whensoever, therefore, the legislative [power] shall transgress [go beyond; break] this fundamental rule of society, and either by …show more content…
This idea, challenged the King’s authority, who had power to rule from God rather than from the people. Not only did Locke believe that a government is formed from the will of the people, but he also believed that if said government “shall transgress this fundamental rule of society” then “they forfeit the power the people had put into their hands”; meaning that if a government falls the people, then the people have the right to overthrow and replace it. This concept of a government being replaced after it falls its people is still precedented to in the form of impeachment., which can be found in Article 1, Section 3 of the