French Revolution: the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
Introduction: After the fall of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, France experienced a period that has become
known as the “Great Fear”. Throughout the summer of 1789, riots broke out in cities, and peasants
began to turn against the wealthy landowners in the countryside, destroying their property and
threatening them physically as well. In Paris, members of the Third Estate set up a new city government
that came to be known as the Paris Commune. Against this backdrop, the National Assembly adopted
the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen on August 26, 1789. The document incorporated
(included) many Enlightenment ideas about natural rights and the true purpose of government, and also
addressed areas of concern at the time.
Directions:
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen is in the other attachment.
Refer to the document as you answer the questions below IN COMPLETE SENTENCES.
1. Article one states that “Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good.” What do you
think is meant by this?
2. List some of the specific “rights of man” mentioned in the document. Which of these (choose several)
do you think the document claims is/are most important? Explain your reasoning.
3. What do you think is implied (meant but not stated) by Article three? To whom do you think this
article was addressed?
4. In Article six, the document states, “All citizens, being equal in the eyes of the law, are equally eligible
to all dignities and to all public positions and occupations, according to their abilities, and without
distinction except that of their virtues (goodness) and talents”. Please summarize the meaning of this
statement, and identify to whom you think it was likely addressed.
5. What do you think the French National Assembly hoped to achieve by writing and issuing this
document?
6. The impact of the Enlightenment philosophers is clearly seen in this document. Identify 3 to 4 ideas
from the document (write them in the order they appear). Next to each idea, identify which
Enlightenment thinker held that view.
7. Compare the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen with the American Declaration of
Independence (written in 1776) AND the English Bill of Rights (written in 1689). What reforms (changes)
demanded by the French also showed up in the two earlier documents? Explain your answer with
specific examples. (The earlier documents are in your textbook, on pages 47 (the English Bill of Rights)
and pages 80-83 (the Declaration of Independence).