Final answer:
Montesquieu's advocacy for a constitutional system with a separation of powers greatly influenced the Founding Fathers in creating checks and balances within the U.S. Constitution. The option (B) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The beliefs of Montesquieu were instrumental to the creation of the United States Constitution because he advocated for a constitutional system of government with a separation of powers. This concept was intended to preserve civil liberties by ensuring that no single branch of government could dominate the others, thus preventing tyranny.
Montesquieu's ideas on separating powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches were eagerly adopted by the Founding Fathers, who sought to establish a balanced government that would protect the rights and freedoms of individuals.
The constitution that the Founding Fathers created drew heavily from Enlightenment thinkers like Montesquieu, as well as John Locke and Rousseau, who all contributed to the philosophical underpinnings of American political thought. Montesquieu, in particular, influenced the structural division of the new government, leading to the checks and balances system that is a hallmark of the U.S. government. Therefore, option (B) is correct.
This question is not complete, Here I am attaching the complete question:
Why were the beliefs of Montesquieu so instrumental to the creation of our Constitution?
(A) Americans admired the Romans
(B) Montesquieu believed in the separation of powers
(C) Montesquieu was very wise
(D) His beliefs had no relevance whatsoever