Born into an aristocratic family on January 18, 1689

in Bordeaux France, Died February 10, 1755 in Paris

Wrote The Spirit of Laws and Persian Letters, which were satirical and discussed laws and government.

Father was Jacques de Secondat Studied at the Academy of Bordeaux Married Jeanne Lartigue, Served as a president a mortier of the Bordeaux

parlement

Biography

Satirical political analyst He saw and commented on problems with:

French and Persian civilization Previous rulers such as King Louis XIV of France Social classes Human nature Religion

Expressed his most important views in His Persian Letters The Spirit of Law

His Beliefs and Philosophy

Classifications of government

Seperation of Powers

Enviornmental Factors

His Beliefs and Philosophy (cont.)

3 Main Branches of Government

Republic: people are sovereign - “true government” because the people want it - public good VS private interest Monarchy: one person is sovereign - too much trust in one person - honor based Despotism: one person is in charge WITHOUT

REGUARD TO LAWS - ruler can do whatever he likes - “the principle of despotic government is subject

to continual corruption, because it is even in its nature corrupt

Separation of Powers

Political Liberty: “a tranquility of mind arising from the opinion each person has of his safety”

This is achieved by the separation of powers! AKA Separation of Powers

Judicial: separate from other powers, judges the laws and certain cases

Executive: things related to foreign affairs Legislative: makes the laws (2 houses)

Did he believe that humans

can govern themselves? Did he believe that humankind

is evil?

Legitimacy questioned

Rejection of British rule Society is based on virtue and justice

Unfair treatment of colonists No [cooperation] without representation

Governments need cooperation and acceptance to function

Our Opinion

Bok, Hilary. "Baron De Montesquieu, Charles-Louis De Secondat." (Stanford Encyclopedia

of Philosophy). Stanford University, 20 Jan. 20120. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/montesquieu/>.

De Secondat, Charles. "Internet History Sourcebooks." The Spirit of Laws. Vol. 1. N.p.: n.p., 1748. N. pag. Internet History Sourcebooks. Fordham University. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/montesquieu-spirit.asp>.

"Montesquieu and The Separation of the Powers." The Forum at the Online Library of Liberty. Liberty Fund, INC., 2012. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?Itemid=287&id=462&option=com_content&task=view>.

“Montesquieu, Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2012. Web. 14 Oct. 2012.<http://school.eb.com/eb/article-9053522>.

"Montesquieu, Charles-Louis De Secondat, Baron De (La Brède Et De)." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/concise/montesquieu,%20charles-louis%20de%20secondat,%20baron%20de%20(la%20br%C3%A8de%20et%20de)>.

"Montesquieu-Tyranny in the Shadow of the Law." (Harper's Magazine). Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2010. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://www.harpers.org/archive/2010/05/hbc-90007096>.

Pangle, Thomas. "A Montesquieu GPS." A Montesquieu GPS. Jack Miller Center, 21 Dec. 2009. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://www.jackmillercenter.org/2009/12/a-montesquieu-gps/?gclid=CMSHh4WM7rICFdJxOgodHREAGg>.

Citations