How did Montesquieu's influence on the American Constitution?

Answer 1

Montesquieu believed that all things were made up of rules or laws that never changed. He set out to study these laws scientifically with the hope that knowledge of the laws of government would reduce the problems of society and improve human life. According to Montesquieu, there were three types of government: a monarchy (ruled by a king or queen), a republic (ruled by an elected leader), and a despotism (ruled by a dictator). Montesquieu believed that a government that was elected by the people was the best form of government. He did, however, believe that the success of a democracy - a government in which the people have the power - depended upon maintaining the right balance of power.

Montesquieu argued that the best government would be one in which power was balanced among three groups of officials. He thought England - which divided power between the king (who enforced laws), Parliament (which made laws), and the judges of the English courts (who interpreted laws) - was a good model of this. Montesquieu called the idea of dividing government power into three branches the "separation of powers." He thought it most important to create separate branches of government with equal but different powers. That way, the government would avoid placing too much power with one individual or group of individuals. He wrote, "When the [law making] and [law enforcement] powers are united in the same person... there can be no liberty." According to Montesquieu, each branch of government could limit the power of the other two branches. Therefore, no branch of the government could threaten the freedom of the people. His ideas about separation of powers became the basis for the United States Constitution.

Despite Montesquieu's belief in the principles of a democracy, he did not feel that all people were equal. Montesquieu approved of slavery. He also thought that women were weaker than men and that they had to obey the commands of their husband. However, he also felt that women did have the ability to govern. "It is against reason and against nature for women to be mistresses in the house... but not for them to govern an empire. In the first case, their weak state does not permit them to be preeminent; in the second, their very weakness gives them more gentleness and moderation, which, rather than the harsh and ferocious virtues, can make for a good environment." In this way, Montesquieu argued that women were too weak to be in control at home, but that there calmness and gentleness would be helpful qualities in making decisions in government.

Answer 2

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How did Montesquieu's influence on the American Constitution?

Answer 3

Montesquieu Constitution

Answer 4

He didn't "“Montesquieu derived his advocacy of the separation of power from the British model." Which was of course the model used by the Americans to write the constitution.

"(The influence of the French Revolution on American Government is overstated)

First there is the matter of chronology. The French Revolution began, with the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. By that time, George Washington had already been sworn in as our first president. The Constitution of the United States had been in effect for more than a year. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay had completed the essays known as the Federalist Papers before Egality! Fraternity! Liberty! were first proclaimed in Paris.

But the more important reason (the American revolution and government bear little resemblance to France) has to do with intent and perhaps, temperament. In France, the old regime had to be discarded….The unavoidable consequence was a power struggle among groups, each proposing ideas, opposed to principles and corresponding means for a framework of government. (American revolutionaries ) proclaimed their quarrel with the “present King of England”, not with the existing system of laws. Indeed, the King stood accused of abandoning “the free system of English laws”….The measured sobriety of the Declaration ( of Independence) , even at a moment of the most intense emotions, is in stark contrast to the recurring outburst, the slogan oriented demagoguery that characterized events in France.

The reason for this difference ….is their (British/American) early recognition of the unquestionable link that binds the concepts of law, property, and freedom. And so for the French, liberty was something to proclaim from the rooftops, for the British, it was a state to be achieved as the result of understanding human nature, of adopting solid principles, of creating a lasting system of laws and institutions."

Answer 5

The biggest were the Greeks and Romans who both had Republics that worked.