Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

Following the storming of the Bastille on 14th July 1789, the National Assembly ratified the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen on 26th August 1789.

Similarly to the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the French document is inspired by the ideas of Rousseau, Montesquieu, and other thinkers of the Enlightenment movement.

The 1st article states "Human beings are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions can be founded only in the common good."

On paper, the Declaration sealed the end of the old regime, feudalism and aristocratic privileges. But as we know now, change requires time and experts! And we had neither... so it got a bit messy!!