Final answer:
The Declaration of the Rights of Man outlines rights like liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression, while the American Declaration of Independence lists life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The social contract theory by John Locke influenced both. The American document enshrines the pursuit of happiness, diverging from Locke's emphasis on property.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which was adopted during the French Revolution, people possess natural rights such as liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. The American Declaration of Independence similarly lists life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as unalienable rights. Both documents reflect Enlightenment principles, particularly those of John Locke, who believed in natural rights of life, liberty, and property and advocated the social contract theory where the purpose of government is to protect these rights. However, the American Declaration of Independence notably replaces "property" with "the pursuit of happiness" in its articulation of natural rights.
The list of rights protected under the Declaration of the Rights of Man shares some similarities with the American Bill of Rights, especially in ensuring freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the right to a fair trial. However, the French document places a stronger emphasis on egalitarian principles, such as the notion that all men are born and remain free and equal in rights. The Enlightenment ideals and the social contract are evident in both documents, illustrating a move towards governmental responsibility in safeguarding the inalienable rights of individuals. These principles influence modern constitutions and the international human rights framework, including documents like the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights.