The Second Treatise on Government by John Locke

One of the leading liberal thinkers in 17th century England, Locke's ideas were drawn on heavily by Thomas Jefferson when writing the Declaration of Independence. The Second Treatise is Locke's most famous work.

eJunto has the Second Treatise read by Philip Rose. Click here.



Leaves and Dolly - Open Edition Images and cards

The Charters of Freedom

Rarely do we hear reference to this term used to describe the three founding documents of the United States that are considered instrumental to the founding of the nation and the fulfillment of the philosophy of democratic government.

Each document stands alone in its power and importance to the nation but none fully define the reach and nuance of the democratic ideal without the others.

These documents are the United States Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. (Links to Wikipedia pages for these documents).

While the term has not entered particularly common usage, the room at the National Archives building in Washington, D.C. that houses the three documents is called the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.