Chapter 4: Montesquieu

Why did Montesquieu believe that it was important to limit the power of a ruler and any one branch of government?

• To prevent the ruler from spending his life enjoying high society

• To ensure that the government could not impose strict social order

• To avoid the concentration of power which could lead to tyranny

• To allow the clergy to have more influence in government decisions

What did Montesquieu observe, study, and reason about that led him to his conclusion about government?

• The wealth and high society of France

• The social and political systems of ancient and medieval times and different countries

• The writings of scientists and philosophers like Newton, Descartes, Hobbes, and Locke

• The humorous writings of Persian letters

What was the purpose of 'The Persian Letters' according to Usbek?

• To entertain readers with humorous fiction

• To criticize the French government and church indirectly

• To educate readers about the quiet lives of Persian scholars

• To document the travels of two Persian travelers in Europe

What did readers of 'The Persian Letters' realize about the king of France from Rica's observations?

• That the king was a great magician who could make paper money valuable

• That the king could speak freely and Montesquieu could not

• That the king was always busy and had no time for leisure

• That the king was low on money and pretended to be busy to hide his financial issues

How did Montesquieu publish 'The Spirit of the Laws'?

• Anonymously, to avoid criticism from the government

• Under a pseudonym, as he did with 'The Persian Letters'

• Using his own name, unlike with 'The Persian Letters'

• As a series of letters to be more engaging to the readers

According to Montesquieu, what is the best way to protect liberty?

• By having a strong monarch with unlimited power

• Through a "separation of powers" where no one branch of government has too much power

• By allowing the courts to make all the laws

• By ensuring that the government does not enforce justice

What did Montesquieu suggest to improve how society functioned?

• He suggested that the nobility should have more power

• He proposed that the government should be divided into multiple branches

• He believed in a single, all-powerful legislative body

• He wanted to abolish the court system

What was Montesquieu's stance on slavery?

• He supported slavery as a necessary economic system

• He believed slavery was not a reasonable act and fiercely attacked it

• He was indifferent to the issue of slavery

• He suggested reforms to make slavery more humane

What pseudonym did Voltaire use when he was imprisoned in the Bastille?

• Montesquieu

• John Locke

• François-Marie Arouet

• Voltaire

What was Voltaire's weapon of choice in his fight against societal issues?

• Physical strength

• Political power

• His wit

• Wealth