The birth of modern democracy in France is commonly marked by the French Revolution, which began in 1789. This revolutionary movement sought to dismantle the feudal structure and absolute monarchy, advocating for the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The National Assembly's adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in August 1789 was pivotal; it articulated the enlightenment ideals of individual rights and popular sovereignty. The Revolution led to the establishment of various republican forms of government, influencing democratic ideas worldwide and serving as a catalyst for numerous revolutionary movements in other countries.