The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was strongly influenced by the American Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. The French had aided the United States in the American Revolution against the British, and many French soldiers and citizens were inspired by American success. The cry of the French Revolution, "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity" reflects the desire for change from the old order.
The French government was an absolute monarchy. The king primarily associated with establishing this was Louis XIV (r.1643-1715). In this type of government, the king made nearly all of the decisions; there was no separation of powers as in the U.S. today. There was also very little representation in the government for the average person. Under the king, the old social order in France was made up of three estates (or groups). This social order protected the rights and privileges of only the very wealthiest and educated. (See diagram; citation noted in image)
The Enlightenment of the 1700s, centered around the salons of Paris, questioned the role of government and advocated for the importance of the individual and basic rights. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen challenged the old system in France, because it supported the significance of citizenship and the protection of both individual and legal rights.
