Final answer:
Montesquieu's Enlightenment ideals, particularly the separation of powers and the checks and balances system, are incorporated into the United States Constitution, establishing a Federal Republic with principles of popular sovereignty and limited government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ideals of Baron de Montesquieu, a luminary of the Enlightenment, are clearly reflected in the United States Constitution. This connection is evident in the division of the government into three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Montesquieu's advocacy for a separation of powers aimed at preventing the concentration of power in a single entity, which is a fundamental principle that the framers of the Constitution embraced. They established a system of checks and balances where no single branch could dominate the others; for example, the President has veto power, but Congress can override it with a 2/3 majority, and the judiciary has the authority to declare laws unconstitutional.
Moreover, the Constitution begins with "We the People" signifying that the government's authority comes from the consent of the governed, an Enlightenment concept that underscores popular sovereignty. Additionally, the Constitution highlights the importance of limited government and civil liberties, echoing Montesquieu's call for constitutional governance and the protection of individual freedoms. While he also called for the end of slavery, this was one aspect of the Enlightenment not immediately reflected in the Constitution, as many Founding Fathers were slaveholders, demonstrating the complexities and contradictions of the era.
The crafting of the Constitution did not only rely on Enlightenment ideals but also incorporated practical experiences from state constitutions and previous governments. This careful blend of innovative ideas led to the creating of a Federal Republic that has been the blueprint for American government since its inception.