Madison & Montesquieu: The Men Who Gave Us Checks and Balances

Overview

What does a French philosopher from the 18th century have to do with the founding of America? Your elementary students will travel with Leo and Layla to meet Montesquieu, a political philosopher of the Enlightenment, and learn how his ideas about separation of powers inspired Founding Father James Madison when constructing the United States government that remains in place today.