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The idea that the government powers be divided into different branches came from the French political philosopher Baron Montesquieu. Montesquieu’s book, The Spirit of the Laws, written in 1748, greatly influenced many of the ideas for the Constitution. Montesquieu believed that a republic, or a government ruled by an elected leader, was the best form of government. However, he believed that having a successful republic depended on maintaining a right balance of power. According to Montesquieu, each branch of government could limit the power of