The key theme of the French Revolution, which lasted from 1789 to 1799, centered on the struggle for equality, liberty, and fraternity. The revolution sought to dismantle the existing feudal and monarchical systems in France, replacing them with a republic that empowered ordinary citizens. Inspired by Enlightenment ideals, revolutionaries aimed to abolish privileges held by the nobility and the church. The revolution led to significant social and political upheaval, including the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which articulated human rights and principles of democracy, setting a precedent for future movements worldwide.