May 5, 1789, marked the beginning of the French Revolution. This was because the French common people, The Third Estate, felt underrepresented in the assembly where King Louis XVI attempted to increase taxes. Three months later, in August, as the revolution continued, the French representatives came together as the National Assembly and created the “Declaration of the Rights of Man” to inform the social body of their rights and duties so that they could hold their government to maintain those rights. It outlined their principles of equality, liberty, and democracy. This was to be used as a new constitution and the basis for the revolution. The American Revolution inspired the French and gave them an example of success to aspire to. This text …show more content…
The French later looked to America to be an ally in their revolution, but America stood neutral. This was created to specifically address all the grievances they had with their structure of government. This was directed at the common people to affirm their rights and at the people in power as an expectation. They described a democratic process with elected representatives that the people would inquire to make laws for the nation's interest and a separation of powers. This was a contrast to the monarchial system they had prior to this. This is a representation of what leaders at the time subjected their people to, as these seem like the bare minimum, but they had to fight for this to be the standard. Many of the similar phrases used in this constitution helped support the structure of slavery in America. By identifying the enslaved as property and considering ownership of them as an inalienable right. Whilst this document is seen as, among other things, a declaration of abolishing slavery. They paired the inalienable right of property with “resistance to oppression” or stand-alone phrases like “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights” and “... no one may be forced to do anything not provided to do by law.” This influenced their global