The French Revolution was a significant event that changed France and influenced the world. It began in 1789 and lasted until 1799. To understand why the Revolution happened, we need to look at the social structure of France at that time, which was divided into three groups called the Three Estates.

First Estate: This group included the clergy, or church leaders. They were very powerful and owned a lot of land. The First Estate did not pay taxes, which made many people unhappy because they believed everyone should contribute to the country’s expenses.

Second Estate: The Second Estate was made up of the nobility, or wealthy landowners. Like the clergy, they also did not pay taxes and enjoyed many privileges. They often lived in luxury while many common people struggled to make ends meet.

Third Estate: The largest and most diverse group was the Third Estate. It included peasants, city workers, and the middle class, known as the bourgeoisie. The Third Estate was responsible for paying taxes and had very few rights compared to the other estates. This group was frustrated because they worked hard but received little in return.

In the late 18th century, the new French Republic faced many challenges that made it seem like a threat to other European rulers. Since 1792, France has been involved in wars with various countries, and parts of the nation have rebelled. 

To regain control, the Committee of Public Safety took charge in 1793 and started a period known as the "Reign of Terror." They believed they needed force to achieve their goals, leading to harsh actions against those they saw as enemies. 

Laws were created that allowed the government to arrest anyone without fair trials, and many people lost their right to defend themselves. Historians think that around 40,000 people may have been executed during this time. 

France also required all men to join the army to protect itself, creating large forces to fight against other European nations. As the threat of losing the war faded, the leaders of the Convention became worried about their safety and turned against Robespierre and his followers, resulting in their execution. This marked the end of the Reign of Terror and allowed power to shift back to more moderate leaders 

The Declaration of the Rights of Man was a basic document of the French Revolution defining the individual and collective rights of all French citizens.

1.      Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.

2.      The aim of all political associations is the preservation of the natural rights of man. These rights are Liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.

3.      The principle of all sovereignty resides in the nation. Nobody nor an individual may exercise any authority which does not (come) directly from the nation.

4.      Liberty consists of the freedom to do everything which injures no one else; hence the exercise of the natural rights of each man has no limits except those which assure the other members of the society the enjoyment of the same rights.

5.      Every citizen has a right to participate personally or through his representative in (the law's) formation. It must be the same for all, whether it protects or punishes. All citizens, bring equal in the eyes of the law, are equally eligible to (serve in) all public positions.

6.      No person shall be accused, arrested, or, imprisoned except in the cases and according to the forms prescribed by law.

7.      As all persons are innocent until they shall be declared guilty: if arrest shall be (necessary), all harshness not essential to securing the prisoner shall be limited.