Written by baron de montesquieu, the spirit of the laws is about
the ideal organization of government.
the selfish nature of human beings.
the need to dominate individual will.
the reason to restore monarchies.

Written by Baron de Montesquieu, “The Spirit of the Laws”  is about the ideal organization of government.

Further Explanations:

Baron de Montesquieu a French philosopher and Judge with man of letters. His theories are the principal source of the thesis of separation of power of the constitution prevalent in many nations. He is also credited for securing the word despotism in a political legacy. His anonymous publication in 1789, “The Spirit of Law” was sold well in American colonies and Great Britain and even inclined the framing members of the American Constitution.

Because of his work, he is also being credited for being a progenitor including Tacitus and Herodotus of anthropology. He was amongst the first to extend the classification of political reforms to societies. Indeed he was also considered as the initiator of scientific enterprise performing the role of social and cultural anthropology. The book was his first attempt to review the diversities in human societies and classify them to study the inter-operation of the Institutions.

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Answer Details

Grade: High School

Subject: US History

Chapter: Baron de Montesquieu

Keywords:

Baron de Montesquieu, French philosopher, Judge, political legacy, The Spirit of Law, American colonies , Great Britain, American Constitution, Tacitus , Herodotus , anthropology, social , cultural  

b) a state law could be declared illegal if it contradicted the constitution.

explanation:

the conflict of this case originated when james w. mcculloch, a cashier of the baltimore branch of the second bank of the united states that the congress had chartered in 1816, refused to pay a tax imposed by the maryland state.

in the case, the state of maryland appealed that the establishment of a second bank was unconstitutional since the constitution didn't say anything about granting that power to congress. however, the case determined that even if such right wasn't specifically stated in the constitution, it was part of the "implied powers" of the government enunciated in article i, section 8.

the case also eliminated maryland's legislation to impose taxes to a national bank, asserting that even though the states retained the power of taxation, the constitution's laws are supreme and can not be controlled by the states, therefore, if a state law contradicts the constitution, it should be declared illegal.

explanation: