Primary Sources: Declaration of theRights of Man

This representation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, painted in 1789, includes the "eye of

providence" symbol (an eye in triangle). Photo: Jean-Jacques-François Le Barbier

Editor's Note: After fighting in the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War,

the French government was deeply in debt. It tried to recover financially by passing

unpopular taxes. Additionally, due to food shortages across the country, the French people

grew frustrated with the aristocracy who still enjoyed lives of luxury. People started to

demand a new constitution and started a revolution to overthrow the monarchy. The

Declaration of the Rights of Man was the first step toward writing a constitution for France.

It was adopted by the National Constituent Assembly on August 26, 1789.

The representatives of the French people, organized as a National Assembly, believe that

ignoring or disrespecting the rights of man is the sole cause of public calamities and of the

corruption of governments. They have therefore determined to set forth in a solemn

declaration of the natural and sacred rights of man.

It is hoped that this declaration, being constantly before all the members of society, shall

remind the people continually of their rights and duties. Furthermore, the acts of the

legislative power, as well as those of the executive power, may be compared at any

By Original document from the public domain, adapted by Newsela staff on 06.28.16

Word Count 886

moment with the rights set forth in this declaration and may thus be more respected.

Lastly, the grievances of citizens can be based from now on upon these simple and

incontestable principles, and shall help maintain the general happiness and rule of law.

Therefore the National Assembly recognizes and proclaims, in the presence of God, the

following rights of man and of the citizen:

Articles:

1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions should only be

made between them if those distinctions serve the general good.

2. The aim of all political association is the preservation of the natural rights of man. These

rights are liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression.

3. The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation. No body nor individual

may exercise any authority which does not proceed directly from the nation.

4. Liberty consists in the freedom to do everything which injures no one else. Therefore,

the natural rights of each man have no limits except those which protect the rights of other

members of society, and these limits can only be determined by law.

5. Law can only prohibit actions that are hurtful to society. Nothing may be prevented

which is not forbidden by law, and no one may be forced to do anything not provided for

by law.

6. Law is the expression of the will of the people. Every citizen has a right to participate

personally, or through his representative, in the process of lawmaking. The law must be the

same for all, whether it protects or punishes. All citizens, being equal in the eyes of the law,

are equally eligible for all jobs and positions in society, according to their abilities and

without distinction except that of their virtues and talents.

7. No person shall be accused, arrested or imprisoned except in the cases and according

to the forms prescribed by law. Anyone soliciting, transmitting, executing or causing to be

executed, any arbitrary order, shall be punished. But any citizen summoned or arrested in

virtue of the law shall submit without delay, as resistance constitutes an offense.

8. The law shall provide for such punishments only as are strictly necessary. No one shall

suffer a punishment unless it is required by a law passed and made known before the

offense is committed.

9. As all persons are held innocent until they are declared guilty, if an arrest shall be

deemed necessary, it shall be carried out in a way that avoids any unnecessary

harshness.

10. No one shall be harassed or mistreated on account of his opinions, including his

religious views, provided that they do not disturb the public order established by law.

11. The free communication of ideas and opinions is one of the most precious of the rights

of man. Every citizen may, accordingly, speak, write and print with freedom, but shall be

responsible for any abuses of this freedom as shall be defined by law.

12. The security of the rights of man and of the citizen requires public military forces.

These forces are, therefore, established for the good of all and not for the personal

advantage of those in charge of military powers.

13. Taxes are essential for the maintenance of the public forces and for the cost of

administration, so they should be fairly distributed among all the citizens in proportion to

their means.

14. All the citizens have a right to decide, either personally or by their representatives, as

to the necessity of taxes, the mode of collection and duration of taxes and to know the

uses to which tax contributions are put.

15. Society has the right to require of every government worker an account of his

administration.

16. A society in which the observance of the law is not assured, nor the separation of

powers defined, has no constitution at all.

17. Since property is a sacred right, no one shall be deprived of it except where public

necessity shall clearly demand it, and then only on the condition that the owner shall have

been paid for the property.

Approved by the National Assembly of France, August 26, 1789.

Quiz

1 Read the paragraph from the declaration.

The representatives of the French people, organized as a National

Assembly, believe that ignoring or disrespecting the rights of man is

the sole cause of public calamities and of the corruption of

governments. They have therefore determined to set forth in a solemn

declaration of the natural and sacred rights of man.

What can be inferred from the text above?

(A) The French people were unhappy with their government until they were

allowed to form the National Assembly to make laws for them.

(B) The French people blamed their misfortune on the government, even though

it was doing everything it could to help them assemble.

(C) The representatives wanted to explain the basic rights of individuals to other

countries whose governments were mistreating people.

(D) The representatives felt that their previous government was dishonest and

wanted to create a new one based on protecting individual rights.

2 Which idea is BEST supported by the text in Article 6?

(A) All people must be treated equally under the law.

(B) People are guaranteed jobs if they work hard enough.

(C) New laws cannot be made without a public vote.

(D) Law should only protect people, not punish them.

3 Which option provides an accurate and objective summary of the declaration?

(A) The declaration states that the government is corrupt and unfair. It lists the

rights violated by the government and demands that the leaders step down

and allow a new government to take over and create laws that protect all

people, regardless of their social class.

(B) The declaration states that the rights of the individual should be guaranteed

so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others. It demands that

government protect all citizens’ rights to speak freely, have a say in laws and

taxes, and be treated fairly under the law.

(C) The declaration states that the rights of the individual are less important than

the rights of society as a whole. It explains what the responsibilities of

individual citizens are, including the responsibility to pay taxes and follow

the laws established by the government.

(D) The declaration states that the government’s purpose is to keep law and

order in society. It explains that government must sometimes restrict free

speech or collect unwanted taxes in order to benefit the country as a whole

and to ensure the well-being of everyone.

4 Which Article BEST supports the main idea that it is against the rights of man for a government

to tax its citizens without their consent?

(A) 1. The security of the rights of man and of the citizen requires public

military forces. These forces are, therefore, established for the good of

all and not for the personal advantage of those in charge of military

powers.

(B) 1. Taxes are essential for the maintenance of the public forces and for

the cost of administration, so they should be fairly distributed among

all the citizens in proportion to their means.

(C) 1. All the citizens have a right to decide, either personally or by their

representatives, as to the necessity of taxes, the mode of collection

and duration of taxes and to know the uses to which tax contributions

are put.

(D) 1. Since property is a sacred right, no one shall be deprived of it except

where public necessity shall clearly demand it, and then only on the

condition that the owner shall have been paid for the property.