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Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen: Preamble Summary

Preamble

  • The representatives of the National Assembly make one things clear: the government of France is a total disaster because it hasn't been respecting the rights of the people.
  • They explain that this declaration will remind everybody, but especially the branches of government, just what those rights are.
  • They go on to state that once the French have this list of rights things will get a lot easier—for example people will be happier and complain less—and the government will be able to have a real constitution.
  • The representatives proclaim that with the blessing of some kind of God the following are rights enjoyed by all Frenchmen.