French Enlightenmentall about Baron de Montesquieu

Life

Born on January 19th, 1689 at La Bréde, near Bordeaux, to a rich family of a high social class.

He received a law degree from the University of Bordeaux in 1708.

Inherited much of his land and his title from dead relatives (father and uncle, respectively)

Claim to Nobility

Inherited the title of Baron de La Bréde et de Montesquieu and the office of Président á Mortier in the Parlement of Bordeaux

Accomplishments Overview

Social commentator

Popularized terms “feudalism” and “Byzantine Empire”

Political thinker

Articulated theory of separation of powers for the first time

Lettres Persanes

Gained literary success with his Persian Letters, a novel satirizing the absurdities of contemporary society.

Led to more publications and opened the doors for more radical commentary

Politics

Divided French society into three classes (trias politica was the phrase he coined): the monarchy, aristocracy, and commons

Two types of governmental power: sovereign and administrative

Administrative: legislative, executive, judiciary

Separate from, but dependent upon, each other

In essence, erased the concept of a feudalistic structure

Politics

Three main forms of government, each supported by social “principle”

Monarchies: rely on Honor

Republics: rely on Virtue

Despotisms: rely on Fear

(The free governments depend on fragile constitutional arrangements)

Key lies in Liberty sustained by a balance of powers

HUGE influence on modern governments, particularly in America and, less so, in Western Europe.

The Weirdest Idea Ever

Meteorological Climate Theory:

Climate influences nature of man and society

Some climates are superior because they yield better temperaments

Warm countries have people with hot tempers. Cold countries have “icy” and “stiff” people.

France has the best climate, and so the best people

The Weirdest Idea Ever

People don’t usually believe this anymore.