In 1215, the angry english nobles forced king john to sign the which introduced the idea of limited government. the founding fathers would later use this idea in the founding of the united states a) bill of rights b) declaration of independence c) magna carta d) petition of rights why is philosopher john locke important to the foundation of the united states of america? a)his surrender at the battle of yorktown marked the end of the american revolution. b) he was part of the second continental congress and one of the authors of the declaration of independence. c) his ideas regarding a "social contract" between society and government influenced the founding fathers. d) he was a military leader from england who george washington train the continental army.