Declaration of the Rights of Man: The French Revolution

The French Revolution did not emerge suddenly but was the result of long-standing tensions within French society. At the heart of these tensions was the Ancien Régime, a rigid social and political system that had governed France for centuries. Under this system, society was divided into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. The First Estate, consisting of the clergy, and the Second Estate, made up of the nobility, enjoyed significant privileges, including exemptions from many taxes. Meanwhile, the Third Estate, which comprised the vast majority of the population, bore the heaviest tax burden despite having little political representation. This deep inequality fueled resentment and set the stage for revolutionary change.

Economic struggles further exacerbated the crisis. Throughout the 18th century, France faced mounting financial difficulties due to costly wars, including its involvement in the American Revolution. These expenses left the country with a massive debt, which the government attempted to resolve by increasing taxes on the already overburdened Third Estate. Additionally, poor harvests in the late 1780s led to food shortages and rising bread prices, making daily survival difficult for many commoners. Hunger and economic hardship created widespread unrest, as people began to question a system that seemed indifferent to their suffering. The monarchy, under King Louis XVI, proved incapable of addressing these issues effectively. His lavish spending and reluctance to implement financial reforms only deepened public frustration.

While economic and social tensions played a crucial role in the revolution’s origins, the ideas of the Enlightenment provided the ideological foundation for change. Thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire criticized absolute monarchy and promoted principles of liberty, equality, and individual rights.

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Release date

Audiobook: 29 March 2025