European Enlightenment: Difference between revisions

addding to montesquieu and starting legacy
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=== Montesquieu ===
=== Montesquieu ===
* 1689-1755
* 1689-1755
* full name Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu
* full name Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu
* French philosopher and political thinker
* French philosopher and political thinker
* most clearly articulated the idea of "separation of powers"  
* known by Americans as the "champion of liberty"
** the American Founders quoted Montesquieu in their writings more than any other source than the Bible
** the American "Father of the Constitution, James Madison, developed his ideas of separation and balance of powers based on Montesquieu
* promoted the "separation of powers" in government
** John Locke previously discussed this notion, but it was Montesquieu who most clearly articulated them
* promoted representation of the people in the French parliament (known as the "Third Estate")
* studied the past to determine the best forms of government
* studied the past to determine the best forms of government
** developed a theory of history as driven by conditions and not specific events (see quotation below)
** developed a theory of history as driven by conditions and not specific events (see quotation below)
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* quotations:
** "To be truly great one has to stand with the people, not above them"


=== Isaac Newton ===
=== Isaac Newton ===
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* quotations:
* quotations:
** "Common sense is not so common."
** "Common sense is not so common."
== Legacy ==
* American Constitution