1.1 | The Constitution and Human Rights, 1793

An unattainable ideal

As early as 1789, the famous Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was drafted, followed by the Constitution. After the monarchy was abolished, these founding texts were rewritten to establish the Republic.

In June 1793, a draft constitution supported by the assemblyman Maximilien Robespierre was adopted, before being put to the electorate. An overwhelming majority voted in favour (although most people abstained and women could not vote). This new Constitution was accompanied by a new Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which was less well known than that of 1789. From the outset, it stated that the goal of society was the happiness of all and placed equality at the top of the list of fundamental rights, along with liberty, security and property. More groundbreaking still were the articles declaring the sovereignty of the people and establishing the right to resist oppression. But these texts were suspended pending the return of peace to the country and would never come into force.