The Magna Carta (1215)

1. The Magna Carta (1215) "The democratic aspiration is no mere recent phase in human history . . . It was written in Magna Carta." --Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1941 Inaugural address http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=114193

2. Objectives • What is the history behind the Magna Carta? • How did this limit the English monarchy? • Examine Key ideas of Magna Carta, the Petition of Right, and the English Bill of Rights.

3. King John Signing Magna Carta ---------- • June 15, 1215 • Runnymede, England • King John was forced to sign • 37 English laws -some old and some new • demonstrated that the power of the king could be limited What is the history behind the Magna Carta?

4. What did it say? • Promised that laws would be good and fair • Everyone shall have access to courts • That cost and money should not be a problem if any person wants to take their problem to the courts • No freeman will be imprisoned or punished without going through the proper legal system

5. How did this limit the English monarchy? • “Great Charter” • Purpose was to force kings to obey laws • 1st written document that limited the power of a monarch • Basis of English citizen’s rights (Common Law)

6. How did this limit the English monarchy? Went from a Absolute Monarchy to a Constitutional Monarchy • Absolute Monarchy – King and Queens make all the laws and have the power to ignore them as he or she chooses • Constitutional Monarchy- a government in which the power of kings and queens is limited and representatives make decisions for the good of the common people

7. Inspiration for Americans The United States Bill of Rights contains the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which is a set of rules that details how our federal government is supposed to work. In general, the rights listed in the Bill of Rights limit the power of the U.S. government and give more power to individuals. It was originally drafted in 1789 by James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. The Bill of Rights restricts government invasion of certain personal liberties, including freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. It also declares the rights of individuals to bear arms. Much of the Bill of Rights is devoted to protecting the rights of persons suspected or accused of crime. These rights include due process of law; fair trial with an impartial jury; freedom from self-incrimination; freedom from cruel and unusual punishment; and freedom from being held in jeopardy twice for the same crime. Inspiration for Americans: During the American Revolution, Magna Carta served to inspire and justify action in liberty’s defense. The colonists believed they were entitled to the same rights as Englishmen, rights guaranteed in Magna Carta. They embedded those rights into the laws of their states and later into the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution ("no person shall . . . be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.") is a direct descendent of Magna Carta's guarantee of proceedings according to the "law of the land."

8. Review Question What was the purpose of the Magna Carta, and why was it important to the history of England? The purpose of the Magna Carta was to limit the power of the king. The charter is important because it is considered to be the beginning of constitutional government in England. It later lead to the English Bill of Rights and served as inspiration for the United State’s Consitution. http://www.worldchesshof.org/uploads/2012/08/10/king58ca.pdf