NCERT Solutions for Chapter: The French Revolution, Exercise 4: Activity

The Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen

• Men are born and remain free and equal in rights
• The aim of every political association is the preservation of the natural and inalienable rights of man; these are liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression
• The source of all sovereignty resides in the nation; no group or individual may exercise authority that does not come from the people
• Liberty consists of the power to do whatever is not injurious to others
• The law has the right to forbid only actions that are injurious to society
• Law is the expression of the general will. All citizens have the right to participate in its formation, personally or through their representatives. All citizens are equal before it
• No man may be accused, arrested or detained, except in cases determined by the law
• Every citizen may speak, write and print freely; he must take responsibility for the abuse of such liberty in cases determined by the law
• For the maintenance of the public force and for the expenses of administration, a common tax is indispensable; it must be assessed equally on all citizens in proportion to their means
• Since the property is a sacred and inviolable right, no one may be deprived of it, unless a legally established public necessity requires it. In that case, just compensation must be given in advance

Refer to Source given above and compare the views of Desmoulins and Robespierre and answer the following questions.

1. How does each one understand the use of state force? What does Robespierre mean by ‘the war of liberty against tyranny?

2. How does Desmoulins perceive liberty? What did the constitutional laws on the rights of individuals lay down? Discuss your views on the subject in class.