How did Montesquieu contribute to the Declaration of Independence?

Question: How did Montesquieu contribute to the Declaration of Independence!?

I saw it on National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets and have been surious ever since!. I think they say so in the movie, but the accents were hard to understand!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Montesquieu believed in separation of powers to avoid tyranny and promote liberty and justice!. This belief is expressed in the Declaration of Independence!.

Just a little bit more on Montesquieu, his theories were highly influential in the framing of the US constitution!. He wrote of a system of checks and balances that a government should incorporate so that one branch can't overrule another!. The branches he wrote of are the judicial, legislative and executive--the model the US currently employs today!.Www@QuestionHome@Com