French Revolution & The Declaration of the Rights of Man

The French Revolution is a turning point in history, where the traditional social and political structures gave way to new forces and ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity. France provided crucial assistance in the American Revolution that launched the United States as an independent republic. Many French officers who served in the American Revolution arrived home exhilarated by the ideals of liberty and equality that they saw in the New World. The Revolution had helped to foster the idea of human rights in France and would lead to the creation of a modern republic.

In the 1760’s France lost the Seven Years War to Britain and subsequently its valuable North American lands and markets. The royal financial mismanagement and self –indulgences only worsened the situation. King Louis XV wasted enormous sums of money on costly wars, personal luxuries and a corrupt and extravagant administration. He failed to affect the tax reforms and other measures necessary to replenish ...