John Locke's political philosophy was shaped by significant historical events such as the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution, which informed his views on government and individual rights. Locke argued for the necessity of a social contract, where government derives its power from the consent of the governed, advocating for natural rights including life, liberty, and property. His writings, particularly "Two Treatises of Government," emphasized the importance of democracy and the right to revolt against unjust authority. These principles profoundly influenced Enlightenment thinkers and laid the groundwork for modern liberal democracy.