Bastille Day
The French Declaration of 1789 is not simply a copy of the American Declaration of Independence. It takes as starting point the reflections of the Philosophy of Enlightenment of the authors like Lock, Voltaire and Rousseau.
On July 14 the French celebrate Bastille Day. This day marks the end of monarchy and the beginning of the French Revolution. Several factors led to the Revolution.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. France had the largest population in Europe and not nearly enough food to feed it. The wealthy and growing middle class, merchants and businessmen were allowed no political input or power. The poor were in a bad situation and it was getting worse. The country was nearing bankruptcy. By the late 1780, the people of France began to speak out. Assemblies were held and the demand for a constitution was made. When King Louis and his Queen Marie Antoinette tried to quell the unrest, the people rebelled.
On July 14, 1789, the masses assembled together and stormed the Bastille Prison, a symbol of the corrupt political system. Thus began the revolution. It was the first democratic revolution in the history of mankind.