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Sartre is the father of modern Existentialism.
It locates humans in a world without spiritual meaning, left by God. In this situation humans in contrast to animals have the possibility to sketch out their own existence and/or make their existence meaningful through action. This becomes a special challenge in situations which are catastrophic. Humans can be thrown into such border situations e.g. by social upheaval, natural catastrophes or wars. Also by interhuman and vital crises, be it separation, illness or death.
They are then left and condemned to the freedom of determining their actions on their own.

Freedom for Sartre is not thus a comfortably consumable gift, but a task which requires an effort to be carried out. The threat of emptiness (existential meaningless) and fear of that throw humans into despair, from which only action as such can save them.
Being responsible for my action means at the same time being responsible for the actions of others.

Sketching out your own existence in this fashion is what Sartre calls "authentic".
He defines freedom as the possibility of said sketching.

It should not be mixed up with the freedom to do what you want, which he sees as an indication of immaturity and irresponsibility.

Freedom as responsible organization of one's existence gives meaning to the past. Death ends the possibility of meaningful life organization.
Humans are then what they have achieved.

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