The representatives of the French people, organized as National Assembly, believing that the ignorance, neglect or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public calamities and of the corruption of governments, have determined to set forth in a solemn declaration the natural, unalienable, and sacred rights of man, in order that this declaration, being constantly before all the members of the Social body, shall remind them continually of their rights and duties; in order that the acs of the legislative power, as well as those of the executive power, may be compared at any moment with the objects and purposes of all political institutions and may this be more respected, and, lastly, in order that the grievances of the citizens, based hereafter upon simple and incontestable principles, shalle tend to the maintenance of the constitution and redound to the happiness of all. 1. What was happening in France that might have caused the National Assembly to write this document?

The representatives of the French people, organized as National Assembly, believing that the ignorance, neglect or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public calamities and of the corruption of governments, have determined to set forth in a solemn declaration the natural, unalienable, and sacred rights of man, in order that this declaration, being constantly before all the members of the Social body, shall remind them continually of their rights and duties; in order that the acs of the legislative power, as well as those of the executive power, may be compared at any moment with the objects and purposes of all political institutions and may this be more respected, and, lastly, in order that the grievances of the citizens, based hereafter upon simple and incontestable principles, shalle tend to the maintenance of the constitution and redound to the happiness of all. 1. What was happening in France that might have caused the National Assembly to write this document?