AP+P2+2014-15+Montesquieu

Term: Montesquieu

Aim: Sydney

Montesquieu is known for his two greatest works, the persian letters and the spirit of the laws. The first is a series of letters between two fictional characters coming to Europe from foreign lands and their interpretation of what they see. This gives an incredible outside perspective f the European culture, and in one letter he writes that the characters see the pope as a magician who can "make the king believe that three are only one, or else that the bread one eats is not bread, or that the wine one drinks is not wine, and a thousand other things of the same kind" (Letter 24). These letters allow for Europeans to look at their culture from a different view and evaluate their culture, looking at the nuances of their routines and traditions and causing them to question what was once thought to be completely normal. In his second work, the Spirit of the Laws, he tries to make sense of the social laws of humans and apply that to governmental institutions. He writes that the laws should be specific "to the people for whom they are framed..., to the nature and principle of each government, ... to the climate of each country, to the quality of its soil, to its situation and extent..." (SL 1.3). He wrote this work to make the idea and purpose of government more understandable and defined. Not only does he talk about government, but human socialism and how they interact. He tries to explain the relationship between the two to help people better understand how they shape each other. His works helped shaped the mindset of Europeans towards their governments and other governments and also helped shaped the development of other future governments.

Works Cited "//Charles-Louis de Secondat//." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 06 Jan. 2015. Zalta, Edward. //Baron de Montesquieu, Charles-Louis de Secondat//. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2014. Web. 06 Jan. 2015

Audience: Adriano Montesquieu was a philosopher who primarily intended for his major works to be targeted at both the common person under the rule of government in order to ensure that they only allow their government to rule while still respecting their dignity as citizens of the nation. He opposed despotism, slavery, and intolerance (Shackleton 7). Also, within his book “Spirit of Laws” he supports the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, showing that he believes that government officials need to be limited in their power in order to ensure that the government does not become tyrannical. The people he aims his works at are the common folk so that they understand what their government should and should not be allowed to do in their ruling over them (Biography Online).

Shackleton, Robert. "Montesquieu | Biography - French Political Philosopher." //Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia// //Britannica//, 30 Oct. 2014. Web. 5 Jan. 2015. “Charles-Louis de Secondat, Biography.” //Biography Online.// Biography. 5 Jan. 2015.

Historical: Thomas



Montesquieu received an early and strong education and received a law degree from the University of Bordeaux in 1708. When his father died he moved to manage the estate and eventually married and had two daughters and a son. He also eventually received his title the Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu and a position in the parliament of Bordeaux and was the head of the parliaments criminal division for 11 years. As his career developed he increased the appearance of his philosophical ideals “He began to spend more time in Paris, where he frequented salons and acted on behalf of the Parlement and the Academy of Bordeaux” (Hilary). As he spent more times in salons, places of knowledge and learning at the time he developed and pursued his ideals and thoughts on the world. Eventually traveling the world he eventually came to admire the political systems of England and drew upon it for his later political thoughts and works. When he returned to his home he started the piece he is known for The Spirit of Laws and several other works that developed his ideals. One of his greatest historical legacies is the separation of powers which helped to develop the United States.

Works Cited:

Bok, Hilary, "Baron de Montesquieu, Charles-Louis de Secondat", //The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy// (Summer 2014 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.).

Shackleton, Robert. "Montesquieu | Biography - French Political Philosopher." //Encyclopedia Britannica Online//. Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2014. Web. 5 Jan. 2015.

Cultural: Elizabeth

The Baron de Montesquieu was responsible for creating the theory of the government system used in the United States today. Montesquieu believed that,“ dividing political authority into the legislative, executive, and judicial powers...most effectively promotes liberty, these three powers must be confided to different individuals or bodies, acting independently” (Shackleton 2). His works greatly influenced the Enlightenment era and helped create the world that one sees today. For example, people began to think that the people could rule, instead of having one set ruler, thanks to Montesquieu’s The Spirit of Law. Although Montesquieu was forward thinking to a point, “ He believed women were supposedly unfit as heads of the home while fit to govern” (Biography Online). Through traveling to other places, Montesquieu got a more in depth view of the world, but was still tied to the cultural values surrounding his time period. These were then able to be developed to a more modern values one can see in cultures today. Montesquieu’s slight step forward created a ripple effect that changed the world for the better.



Shackleton, Robert. "Montesquieu | Biography - French Political Philosopher." //Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia//  //Britannica//, 30 Oct. 2014. Web. 5 Jan. 2015. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Charles-Louis de Secondat, Biography.” //Biography Online.// Biography. 5 Jan. 2015.