Was the single focus on property, its protection and productivity a necessity to insure consustency with the practice of ownng humans or was the separation of government from human interests just a continuation of the predominance of materialism? Was the commitment to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness just a throw-away sentiment from the start?

Material possessions as the mechanism of control. So ownership is like the harness on a horse. Take the bit and do what you are told. Ownership = control. Use = freedom. Which is better, to be owned or used?