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Lifetime of Thomas Hobbes
Locke and Hobbes had very opposite views on the same things. Locke had read some of Hobbes’ readings and disagreed completely. Hobbes thought that a country should be ruled by one tyrannical monarch, and Locke thought that a government should have checks and balances. -
Birth
Locke's parents were John Locke who was a county lawyer, and Agnes Keene. His parents died at a very young age. -
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Attended Oxford University
Locke graduated from Westminister School and went to Oxford at age 20. He started going to the University sometime in the Fall. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts in February 1656 and my Master’s in Arts sometime in July 1658. After his education, he was offered many jobs, but he decided to become a doctor. -
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Published An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
The book was published sometime that year. In his book, Locke talks about how humans for sure know that God exists. He also states what limits humans have of understanding in this world. John Locke also states that we know what mortality is because we created the morals and political ideas. -
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Locke read Descartes’ writings
Sometime this year, John had read Descartes’ writings. Descartes’ thought in a rational way instead of Scholasticism. This is the system of following Aristotle and the Church. This inspired John Locke to analyze in a scientific way. This is how he created Empiricism. This is a scientific way to look at the world. He thought of Empiricism as an alternative of Scholasticism. -
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Locke meets Anthony Ashley Cooper, The First Earl of Shaftesbury
As a doctor, John Locke met the Earl of Shaftesbury when his liver was having problems. This happened sometime in the year 1666 He fixed him up, and the Earl of impressed. Locke became his personal physician and lived with him. He wrote many of his books while living here. -
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Shaftesbury becomes Lord Chancellor
Sometime this year, Shaftesbury gained this title, and Locke became his secretary. A year later, he became the secretary of the board of trade. -
Locke moves to Montpellier, France
Locke moved to southern France because of his delicate health. Locke was always sensitive to severe weather, so he moved to Montpellier for a few months. Here, he made many reflections, which eventually become part of his book: An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. -
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Locke flees to Holland
After returning from France, suspicion arouses that he might something do with Shaftesbury latest schemes (Rye House Plot). This happen sometime in August that year. However, he didn’t. After the death of Shaftesbury, Locke fled to Holland. -
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Glorious Revolution of England
William of Orange was able to overthrow King James II. This is considered one of the English Revolution. After the revolution, William III and Mary II became the monarchs of England. This happened during the year of 1688 -
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Wrote Letter Concerning Toleration
He wrote this sometime that year. In the letter, Locke addresses a “Honorable Sir”. This is really referring to Philip von Limborch. Limborch published the letter without Locke knowing. This letter talks about how religious persecution is evil and not good. That people should lighten up and allow religious toleration. He also mentions the separation of church and state. He thought a country shouldn’t have a national church because it wouldn’t allow religious freedom. -
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Locke moves back to England
After his help in the Glorious Revolution, Locke was able to move back to England because of the new rule in England. He escorted Princess Mary to England to her husband. He did this sometime in February that year. -
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Wrote Two Treatises of Government
Locke had written this book in 1679 and 1680, but wasn’t able to published because it contained many extreme thoughts about government. So it was finally published sometime in 1690. This writing greatly influenced the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. -
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Locke finds a permanent residence with Francis and Lady Masham
After coming back from exile, Locke is able to settle back in England without be accused of anything. He comes to their house because Lady Masham is the daughter of a close friend. This happened sometime that year. -
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Published Some thoughts Concerning Education
After Locke published this book, it was the most important philosophical work in England for almost a century. It also talked about letting women learn to read and write. It was published sometime this year -
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Published The Reasonableness of Christianity
This book talked about how the Church should not be as strict as it is. It should not have a big hold on the governments and be more reasonable. -
Death
John Locke died at the house of Francis and Lady Masham at Oates in Essex. -
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King Peter publishes Posthumous Works of John Locke
This book was published to become a handbook for autodidacts. It was the first time Locke’s Of the Conduct of the Understanding was published. He published it sometime that year. -
Writing of the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson was inspired by John Locke's writings. He based off the Declaration on what he learned from the Two Treatises of Government. It talks about the negativity of a monarchy and natural law and natural right. He claimed that men are born with the right to be free and can govern themselves. -
Writing of the Consitution of America
Fifty-five delegates from 12 of 13 states came to Philadelphia to write the constitution. They made a government system that day that gave everyone separated power. They created this from John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government. They also made checks and balances and made sure that the people had a say in the government. So as the Two Treatises of Government as their foundation, they created the Constitution which gave the people a say in their government.
