The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen August 27 th, 1789

Speakers/ Authors The speakers/authors of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen are people from the third estate who left the Estates General and declared themselves the “National Assembly.” A large portion of the document was drafted by Marquis de Lafayette, A french aristocrat who was a General in the American Revolution and a leader of the National Guard during the French Revolution. Perspective The writers of the Declaration are writing this document as a way of creating a new constitution for France. They are upset with the absolute monarchy in France and their inability to create change within the country. This is because Louis XVI insists they vote by order, not head.

Context When Louis XVI refused to let the Estates General vote by head, representatives from the 3 rd Estate decided they should create a National Assembly. Abbe Sieyes denounced the nobility as a parasitic ”foreigner in our midst,” his pamphlet “What is the Third Estate?” promoted voting by head. Sieyes played an important role throughout the revolution, participating in the drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and in the 1971 Constitution. He lived through the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, voted for the execution of the King and helped plan Napoleon’s coup d'état in The delegates of the Estates General were meeting on May 2 nd, 1789 and Louis kept them waiting for hours at a formal reception and then received them coldly when he did acknowledge them.

The third Estate only lasted for about 5 weeks and the King was not letting them know whether the vote would be by head or order. They decided not to present themselves as delegates of the 3 rd Estate, but as representative of the nation. A number of priests representing the clergy joined them and they became the National Assembly. When the Assembly discovered that their normal meeting space was barred up, they met in a nearby indoor tennis court and swore ”not to separate, and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the kingdom is established and consolidated upon firm foundations.” In between the establishment of a National Assembly and the approval of the Declaration, the Storming of the Bastille took place on July 14– the prison`s governor Bernard de Launey was beheaded 6 or 7 guards were killed This was done by bourgeois volunteers who formed the National Guard.

Outside of Paris there were other disturbances. Municipal governments were being formed in several other major cities. Starting on July 14 th and throughout the summer there was a series of riots known as the Great Fear. This riots occurred because of rumours that feudal aristocracy or aristos were sending groups to attack peasant villages. This led to attacks on local lords and the burning of records of feudal obligations. As a way of repressing these attacks some liberal nobles gave up some of their feudal privileges and revenues and some others followed suit. (Aug. 4 th meeting) Some clergy relinquished their tithes. At least in theory, all men in France were subject to the same laws and taxes. The wrote the Declaration, and is was approved on August 27 th, 1789.

The Tennis Court Oath

Storming of the Bastille

Issues Raised & Arguments “Natural Rights”– should be enjoyed equally by all citizens Rights of Man- “liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression” Many similarities to the Bill of Rights in the American Constitution Also deals with the idea of popular sovereignty- article 3 “The source of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation; no group, no individual may exercise authority not emanating expressly therefrom” Law making powers in article 6 “Law is the expression of the general will”

Significance Preamble to the Constitution of Similar documents served as the preamble to the Constitution of 1793 Constitution of 1795 Declaration of the Rights of Woman, was written in 1791 by French activist and playwright Olympe de Gouges.

Analysis, Personal Comments and Opinions The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen promoted the natural rights of man and the rights to “liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression.” Have these ideas of equality from the French Revolution been carried on into modern society? Do we as Canadians have all of these rights or does a great deal of privilege still exist in our society as it did in 18 th century France? You may want to refer to North American constitutional documents including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or the American Bill of Rights to support your answer. Homework: Write a one paragraph, word processed response. Due tomorrow. 5 marks forThinking, 5 marks for Communication. Total /10