If you'd like to print out this page, click the Print button above. Alternatively, you may click the printer icon on your browser's toolbar, or choose File>Print from the menu.     The Declaration of Independence, 1776 United States Constitution The Declaration of the Rights of Man, 1789 The Declaration of the Rights of Women, 1791 The French Revolution of 1789 was inspired in part by the American Revolution of the previous decade. The French Revolution went much further than the American Revolution, removing most of the power and property of the wealthy aristocrats and the Catholic Church, and giving numerous basic rights to citizens. Beset by war with neighboring countries and also internal rebellions both real and imagined, the revolution soon turned bloody. Napoleon eventually came to power in 1799, and his overthrow by the combined major powers of Europe restored monarchy to France in 1815. The Declaration of the Rights of Man was a key document of the early days of the revolution. Read through it and then compare it with both the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. 1. What does the Declaration of the Rights of Man say about natural rights? How does this accord with the Declaration of Independence? 2. What does the Rights of Man say about freedom of religion and freedom of expression? How does this compare with the First Amendment? 3. What does the Rights of Man say about crimes and their prosecution? How does this compare with the Bill of Rights? 4. Which of these documents goes furthest in promoting equality and freedom? Why? Now read The Declaration of the Rights of Women written by Olympe de Gouge in 1791. 5. What does Ms. de Gouge say about the way the men leading the French Revolution have treated women? 6. What does she want for women, and what does she ask women to do? 7. What are the key components of the Social Contract Between Man and Woman? 8. How was Ms. de Gouge treated after the publication of the Declaration of the Rights of Women?