Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, key philosophical document of the French Revolution, adopted by the National Assembly on August 26, 1789. It reflects the French Enlightenment's rejection of the rule of absolute monarchy in favor of natural rights. These included equality, popular sovereignty (i.e. rule of the people), and individual rights to liberty, property, and freedom from arbitrary government abuse. It was made the preamble to the 1791 Constitution.

See also: French Revolution.