John Locke though that the mind was a blank slate, born without ideas, and that knowledge is determined only by experience.  He believed that humans were generally reasonable and tolerant, and in their natural state, all people were equal and independent. Locke believed that people formed societies and governments to resolve conflicts in civil ways.  He felt that everyone had a natural right to defend his “Life, health, Liberty, and Property.” Locke thought that governmental separation of powers was crucial, and that revolution is not only a right but sometimes a necessary obligation to ensure ones’ rights.

This is at a time where Louis XIV claimed that he was a representative of God, and that his actions “were justified with explanation and any dissent was blasphemy.” He also “domesticated the aristocracy,” whereby nobles began “to see that power (was) best achieved through service to the throne” instead of owning lots of land.

John Locke’s political principles were part of the Glorious Revolution.  After the revolution, many rights would be granted to the gentry and the Act of Toleration would end religious persecution.  Locke saw these rights as inalienable.  He also favored taxation by representation, which was mostly achieved after the revolution.