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Question: What was Montesquieu's influence on the Declaration of Independence!?
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Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (January 18, 1689 in Bordeaux – February 10, 1755), was a French social commentator and political thinker who lived during the Era of the Enlightenment!. He is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers, taken for granted in modern discussions of government and implemented in many constitutions throughout the world

- the state is divided into branches or estates, each with separate and independent powers and areas of responsibility!. The normal division of estates is into an executive, a legislature, and a judiciary!.

The US used these ideas to create the american form of government

-in the US this form of separation of powers is widely known as "checks and balances!."

- Congress has the sole power to legislate for the United States

- Executive power is vested in the President!. The principal responsibility of the President is to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed!." By using these words, the Constitution does not require the President to personally enforce the law; rather, officers subordinate to the President may perform such duties

- Judicial power — the power to decide cases and controversies—is vested in the Supreme Court and inferior courts established by Congress!.

Separation of powers is not absolute; it is instead qualified by the doctrine of checks and balances!. James Madison wrote that the three branches "should not be so far separated as to have no constitutional control over each other!." The system of checks and balances is designed to allow each branch to restrain abuse by each other branchWww@QuestionHome@Com