a) John Locke

John Locke, a British philosopher, profoundly influenced the American revolutionary ethos with his ideas on natural rights and government. His theories on life, liberty, property, and the consent of the governed informed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Locke’s emphasis on social contract theory provided a philosophical foundation for the colonists’ rebellion against British rule. His impact on American political thought illustrates the deep connection between the Enlightenment and the principles that underpinned the Revolution, shaping the foundational beliefs of the new nation.