{\b The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen}.

{\b General Outline}.

The 'Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen' was adopted in Paris 
on August 26th, 1789. It established a new constitutional regime consistent 
with the aspirations of the French Revolution. 
  
{\b Historical Background}.

The Declaration embodied the ideas of the French Revolution and was the 
preface to the French Constitution of 1791. After debate between August 20th 
and 26th, 1789, the Declaration was adopted by the French National Assembly.

{\b Basic Features}. 
The Declaration condensed many years of philosophical and political thinking 
into a single document. It was influenced by French political and social 
philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). Rousseau believed in the need 
for individuals to live together for the advantages of central direction, but 
without any loss of personal liberty. This was explained in his work Contrat 
Social (Social Contract) and was an important influence in the drafting of the 
Declaration. The theories of John Locke and figures of the French 
Enlightenment were also influential in the Declaration. 

The Declaration was modelled on the 'American Declaration of Independence'. It 
was introduced in the Assembly by the Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), who 
was influenced by his participation in the American War of Independence. 
Thomas Jefferson, the author of the American Declaration of Independence, was 
the American Ambassador in Paris at the time, and helped Lafayette to draft 
the Declaration.

An important aspect of the Declaration is its aim to maintain a weak executive 
branch of government. Like the Americans, the French wanted to protect 
individual rights against abuse by authority. 

{\b Conclusion}.

The 'Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen' is a revolutionary 
political tract which has elevated status in France. It is a part of French 
constitutional law and contains beliefs which are central to the philosophy 
and system of government in France.