1. Montesquieu and the Enlightenment
Graham:), Sasha:(, Theo :), and Spencer

2. Early Life
Born in the region of Bordeaux, France, on January 18, 1689,
He was born to a wealthy family
In 1700 Montesquieu was sent to the Oratorian Collège de Juilly
After he graduated he returned to Bordeaux in 1705 to study law
He was then admitted to practice in the Bordeaux Parlement (parliament) in 1708.

3. Main Beliefs Britain is the best-governed Separation of powers
Checks & balances
Republics, monarchies, and despotic governments
Republics vary depending on the amount of rights they give their citizens
‘Democratic republics’ generally give their citizens relatively broad rights
‘Aristocratic republics’ generally tend to restrict their citizens rights
In a monarchies the state is ruled by a monarch.
Despotic governments closely resemble absolute monarchies

4. Published Works
On the Spirit of Laws is Montesquieu’s most famous work.
It was originally published anonymously to avoid trouble.
Describes three political systems: republican, monarchical and despotic
Described a republic closely represents our political system in the U.S., though his description of a democratic republic is exactly the U.S. system.
Despotic closely resembles an absolute monarchy
Described a separation of powers, which was applied in Great Britain with the Petition of Right, and with William and Mary’s Constitutional Monarchy, as well as being applied in our modern United States.
He is credited with inventing sociology through Spirit of Laws, which inspired the fields of political science, sociology, and anthropology.

5. Influences on Today
Montesquieu created many ideas which have carried throughout history and influenced many modern nations. His works influenced the current government of Great Britain, our nation and constitution, and many other fields and governments.
His work heavily influenced the United States Constitution and general form of government
In On the Spirit of Laws he described a democratic republic, which very closely represents exactly the government we have in the United States right now
He described a system of checks and balances, as well as the rights that citizens have
He is credited with creating the field of sociology, and subsequently, political science and anthropology

6. Depressing Facts! (and Quotes!)
He was sexist and racist, believing in slavery, as well as thinking that women were of the “weaker sex.”
Important Quotes!
“Power...should be a check to power.”

7. Bibliography
Baron de Montesquieu. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2016, from
Rashid, A. (n.d.). In What Ways Did Baron de Montesquieu Influence the Constitution of the United States? | The Classroom | Synonym. Retrieved from
Shackleton, R. (n.d.). Montesquieu | French political philosopher | Britannica.com. Retrieved from
World Biographies. (n.d.). Montesquieu Biography - life, family, name, death, history, mother, young, information, born, marriage, time. Retrieved from
Baron de Montesquieu, Charles-Louis de Secondat. (2014, July 18). Retrieved October 24, 2016, from
Whitcomb, M. (n.d.). Montesquieu, "The Spirit of the Laws" Retrieved October 24, 2016, from