France Adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man
The adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man in France on August 26, 1789, marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s history and the broader context of revolutionary thought. This declaration emerged during a period of significant political upheaval, as King Louis XVI had to relinquish his autocratic rule amid the French Revolution. Drawing inspiration from the American Revolution's foundational documents, the Declaration emphasizes key principles such as equality, liberty, and the protection of natural rights.
It articulates that all men are born free and equal in rights, asserting the importance of individual freedoms, social equity, and the sovereignty of the nation. The declaration also outlines the rule of law, ensuring that all citizens are treated equally and have the right to participate in political processes. By proclaiming these rights, the document aimed to safeguard against oppression and establish a framework for governance that prioritizes the welfare of the populace.
The ideals laid out in the Declaration of the Rights of Man not only influenced France but also contributed to the global discourse on human rights and democratic governance, establishing a precedent for future movements advocating for civil liberties and social justice.
France Adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man
France Adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man
France provided invaluable financial and military assistance to the Americans during the American Revolution. The French were also strongly influenced by the ideals of the American Revolution as expressed in the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution of the United States (1787). When the French Revolution erupted and King Louis XVI was forced to surrender his autocratic powers, the National Assembly of France adopted the historic Declaration of the Rights of Man on August 26, 1789. It was modeled after the Constitution, and includes such familiar American liberties as freedom of speech and equal protection under the law. Thus, it represents the beginning of the spread of American democratic ideals around the world in the centuries to follow.
A copy of Declaration of the Rights of Man is set forth below:
The representatives of the French people, organized as a National Assembly, believing that the ignorance, neglect, or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public calamities and of the corruption of governments, have determined to set forth in a solemn declaration the natural, unalienable, and sacred rights of man, in order that this declaration, being constantly before all the members of the Social body, shall remind them continually of their rights and duties; in order that the acts of the legislative power, as well as those of the executive power, may be compared at any moment with the objects and purposes of all political institutions and may thus be more respected, and, lastly, in order that the grievances of the citizens, based hereafter upon simple and incontestable principles, shall tend to the maintenance of the constitution and redound to the happiness of all. Therefore the National Assembly recognizes and proclaims, in the presence and under the auspices of the Supreme Being, the following rights of man and of the citizen:
Articles: