The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen emerged as a crucial document during the French Revolution, marking a significant turning point in political philosophy and human rights. After the formation of the National Constituent Assembly in June 1789, revolutionary fervor swept through France, prompting the need for an articulation of fundamental freedoms. On August 26, the Assembly, influenced by Enlightenment thought, unanimously adopted this declaration, proclaiming principles that would be essential to the new French state.

The document comprises 17 articles, emphasizing the rights to liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. It derived inspiration from the American Declaration of Independence and was deeply rooted in the Enlightenment ideas promulgated by philosophers such as Voltaire and Rousseau. The declaration aimed to ensure that all citizens of France, regardless of class, would be entitled to basic rights, thus challenging the established hierarchical structure of the Ancien Régime.

As the Assembly passed the declaration, it significantly shaped France's political landscape and served as a foundation for future human rights documents worldwide. The principles outlined would inspire many subsequent movements for civil rights and liberties, transcending national boundaries and influencing democratic ideologies on a global scale.