PDP4- Declaration of the Rights of Man
Author Bio: The authors in this primary document are stated as the "representatives of the French people," but the main drafts and ideas of this document were set forth by Gilbert Lafayette. Lafayette was one of the main military officers fighting during the french revolution, and was recognized as one of the most important figures in this revolution. He was friends with Thomas Jefferson and was inspired by the Declaration of Independence. There is not much bias that can be seen in this declaration by Lafayette, mainly because of how he is talking and representing the french people as whole.
Date/Context: At the time this declaration was being written, one of the main events to have occurred was the independence that the United States had gained. As stated earlier, the Declaration of Independence, written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, was used to convey a sense of freedom and independence that inspired many people, including the french. This shows that the Decalartion of the Rights of Man was inspired by the events happening around the world at that time, mainly in the United States, and helped push the revolution of the French and the publication of this document.
Summary: The main reason this declaration was created was to identify and remind the public of the indispensable rights that the citizens had, and that corruption of governments and tragedies occurred because of the lack of recognition and recognition of these rights. The main details and rights that are mentioned in this declaration include the idea of everyone being born equal, and born with equal rights, the preservation of the main rights that include liberty prosperity and security, the idea that individual liberty can be exercised as long as it doesn't hurt others, that no one can be arrested for no important reason, that punishment should be sensible and legal, that freedom of speech is protected and that everyone should have the right to own property, among others. All these helped support the main idea, which was that citizens had certain "unalienable" rights that can never be taken away by the government.
Key Quotation: "To set forth in a solemn declaration the natural, unalienable, and sacred rights of man, in order that this declaration, being constantly before all the members of the Social body, shall remind them continually of their rights and duties"
The Declaration of the Rights of Man contains seventeen articles. Most of the articles reference, as stated in the title, the rights and equality of people. Ferris did great job describing the major points that are repeated throughout the document, and overall captured the purpose of these written rights.
ReplyDeleteThis document is a product of the Enlightenment and details the inherent rights of all men. It is indicative of the changing role of man in society and his relationship to the government.
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