Which are similarities between Locke's and Jefferson's ideas?

• A. Natural Rights; Social Contract; People Can Overthrow Government
• B. Divine Right; Hereditary Rule; Obedience to Monarchy
• C. Economic Policy Focused on Taxation
• D. Separation of Church and State

Answer: (A)

Both Locke and Jefferson ground legitimate government in protecting individuals’ natural rights and base authority on the consent of the governed. They share the idea that rights like life and liberty—with Locke also adding property, and Jefferson emphasizing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—preexist government. Governments exist to safeguard those rights, and if rulers violate them, the people retain the right to alter or overthrow the government and establish a better one. This mix of natural rights, a social contract, and the ability of the people to revolt is the clearest link between their ideas. The other options miss this central link: divine right and hereditary rule were rejected by both; focusing on taxation is not the main throughline of their philosophies; and while Jefferson champions religious neutrality, Locke’s view centers more on toleration than a formal separation of church and state, so that aspect isn’t as core to their shared ideas as the rights-consent-revolt framework.