Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen in the...

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen is an important document of the French Revolution. The National Assembly passed it on August 6, 1789. The Declaration presents the idea of inalienable rights of humans regardless of social status or privilege. It, along with support of the majority of France, was instrumental in putting an end to the Ancien Regime. The Ancien Regime was the old order matriarchal way, and the people of France were tired of the control this absolute monarchy had over them. The French Revolution was a turning point in European history that would forever change the government of France. Not only were the citizens unhappy with their current government, but the majority were suffering from the economic crisis as the result of war. Forty years of wars in which France was involved had taken its toll on the economy. In addition to the drain on finances by war, the extravagant lifestyles of the aristocracy also drained France’s treasury. Though econo my was definitely a cause of the French Revolution, it was not the only cause. Like the American Revolution that occurred a decade earlier, there were many reasons for the revolt but the main goal being equality for all. One catalyst of the French Revolution was the Ancien Regime’s social structure. For centuries, the people of France were divided into three distinct groups, also known as Estates or Orders. The First Estate consisted of the Clergy of the French Catholic Church. The church was quiteShow MoreRelatedFrench and Haitian Revolution Comparisons1531 Words   |  7 Pagesstarted a Revolution across the Atlantic Throughout history, there have been dozens of times when people were extremely upset with the government that was ruling over them. However, these angry citizens only revolt a fraction of the time, due to fear of the government. Two examples of when people stood up for their rights and revolted are the French Revolution and the Haitian Revolution. These revolts are loosely connected, as many say that the Haitian Revolution was inspired by the French RevolutionRead MoreThe Declaration Of The Rights Of Man And Citizen1529 Words   |  7 PagesFrance’s, The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, played an integral role in the development of democracy and the pursuit of liberty throughout Europe. This document was written and introduced by General Lafayette as a result of the French Revolution. The French Constituent Assembly passed it in August of 1789. Influenced by Thomas Jefferson, the American Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, and the ideas of the Enlightenment philosophers, the document reiterates the valuesRead MoreBill of Rights Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen Essay1289 Words   |  6 Pages The Bill of Rights and Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen are based on the same principles of natural rights; therefore each document is similar in protecting the peoples natural rights. However, despite their similarities, their differences are apparent due to the social situations in which they were adopted. The Bill of Rights stood to protect the freedoms of each individual by establishing a democratic government. The French Revolution eliminated the hierarchy of class and establishedRead MoreFrench Revolution611 Words   |  3 PagesInfluenced Events in the French Revolution DeAnna Andrew HIS/114 April 1, 2014 Julie Thomas Influenced Events in the French Revolution What is a revolution? According to Merriam-Webster (2014), revolution is a fundamental change in political organization; especially: the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed. Various social, political, and economic conditions led to the revolution. These conditions included dissatisfaction amongRead MoreThe American Revolution Set up Equality and Power for America621 Words   |  3 PagesChristopher Hitchens claims that â€Å"†¦ the American Revolution is the only revolution that still resonates†and this claim is valid because the American Revolution led to democratic ideals and governments being spread across the world, it set the precedent of equality in our country, and it set it up to be the world power it is today. America’s Revolution gave birth to real applications of Enlightenment ideals, and in doing so spurred movements of independence and democracy around the world duringRead MoreThe Declaration Of Rights Of Women And A Public Speech By Frederick Douglass933 Words   |  4 PagesThe French Revolution produced many changes both in France and in Europe as a whole. The most evident change brought by the French Revolution was the move from absolutism to republicanism that represents a shift towards democracy. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, which was announced in 1789, was arguably the foundations of the human rights and many constitutions in democratic countries like the Britain and America. The concept is based on the â€Å"natural rights† that were establishedRead MoreWomen And Women During The French Revolution1413 Words   |  6 PagesDuring the French Revolution, namely 1789, men and women were both dealing with change in government, society, and many different aspects of life. Two documents that represent the rights of men and women are Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and The Vindication of the Rights of Woman. These two documents are similar in content because they describe how men and women should be treated as equals in society. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen came first, and sparkedRead MoreThe Enlightenment Principles Of Rationalism And Universal Rights1684 Words   |  7 Pagesthis era, inspiring populations locally and abroad. This revolution of ideas led to political and societal upheaval throughout the Western world. This essay will argue that the Enlightenment principles of rationalism and universal rights shaped modern Europe and North America through the rejection of absolutist government and the movement towards an equal society. The effect of these Enlightenment ideas is evident throughout the ‘Declaration of Independence’, written by Thomas Jefferson and th e CongressionalRead MoreThe French Revolution And The Declaration Of The Rights Of Man1361 Words   |  6 PagesThe French Revolution began with King Louis XVI, and his wife, and ended with Napoleon Bonaparte. In between these two powerful peoples reign, The Declaration of the Rights of Man was created, which was an outline of man’s natural rights. The document enforced that the wealthy pay taxes and that more jobs become available. This outline, one of the most important underlying documents of equality within the French Revolution, began to appear all over Europe. The articles within the declaration wereRead MoreThe Declaration Of The Rights Of Man And Citizen954 Words   |  4 PagesThe Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was the product of an oppressed people who were tired of living under a government in which they had no voice. During the Ancià ©n Regime in France, there social classes, called estates, greatly divided the people on the basis of power and wea lth. The first estate being the clergy, the second nobility, and the third estate being everyone else in the country of France (â€Å"The French Revolution† 23:20). The first two estates made up 3% of the population