Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen

This canonic text, consisting of 17 articles and a preamble, was adopted by the Assemblée Nationale on 26 August 1789 [see Revolution, 1b]. It was the work of a committee, and draws on the American Declaration of Independence as well as the ideas of Rousseau, Montesquieu, Mably, and the Physiocrats. Few changes have been introduced over the last 200 years. The declaration does not have force of law, but is a founding text of the French republican tradition. The basic rights enshrined in it are freedom, property, security, and resistance to oppression. It makes no mention of women [see Gouges].

— Peter France