Question

Describe the different political events in Europe that had a major impact upon Montesquieu and his work.

a) The Renaissance
b) The French Revolution
c) The Industrial Revolution
d) The Treaty of Versailles

Answer 1

Montesquieu was influenced by the French Revolution, the absolutist era in Europe, and the Enlightenment period, all of which contributed to his ideas on the separation of powers and critiques of monarchical authority.

Step-by-step explanation:

The political events in Europe that had a major impact on Montesquieu and his work include:

• The French Revolution, which served as a real-world example of the political transformation to establish democratic processes and influenced Montesquieu's ideas on the separation of powers.
• The rise and fall of absolutism, during which monarchs held complete power, illustrating how political changes laid the foundations for market economies. This context contributed to Montesquieu's critique of monarchical powers.
• The Enlightenment, which challenged traditional doctrines and resulted in philosophic activity that undermined the legitimacy of absolutist rule and heralded new forms of government, directly influencing Montesquieu's philosophy.