We recently went over essays in my world history class and as a result I must write a 5-paragraph-minimum essay on why the Magna Carta is the predecessor to constitutional rights. I'm not asking for an essay but ideas, I've been trying to write it and end up repeating the same things over and over.
I know that the Constitution protects rights and limits authority, but I need to include how it does that and how it relates to the Magna Carta. Truthfully, I am fifteen, and I'm not looking for someone to do my essay. I just need some info in Layman's terms.
Thank you in advance.
2007-01-19 16:36:45 · 9 answers · asked by Abel 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Since the Magna Carta (Great Charter) was written by a group of Barons in England, one of them being my ancestor, Simon de Montfort IV, I feel confident that I can answer this. John Lackland, then King of England, was forced to sign it at sword point at Runnymede on June 15, 1215 A.D. It gave rights for the very first time to the common people of England. It protected them from unlawful search and seizure by the sheriffs, which were King John's men. It was basically ignored by Henry III, John's son until 1262, when Simon de Montfort V took over as ruler of England for 18 months. He established the first English Parliament and wrote the Provisions of Oxford which upheld the Magna Carta. However, he was murdered by Edward I, King Henry's son in 1265, and the Magna Carta was again shelved until the reign of Queen Victoria. The Magna Carta limited the power of the Monarchy, and traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to the USA in 1776. Our forefathers used it as a basis for the United States Constitution and our Declaration of Independence. A frieze of my ancestor resides above one of the doors in our Congress because of this. You are very welcome, Constance Montfort
2007-01-24 10:53:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. The Magna Carta or ' Great Contract ', forced a sitting king to recognize an elected assembly as a body he would have to address when they presented him with issues and petitions. It was probably the first document to ever do this. The U.S. has a Congress with that concept in mind. That Congress has led America for most of it's history.
2016-05-23 23:46:19 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The original Magna Carter was signed in 1215 but was actually based on the Chater of Liberties from 1100. Magna Carter was revised giving rise to three issues in total. The First issue was signed under duress and so was not wholly honoured.
The rights of the Church in England, the freedom of the City of London and the basic rights to due process in the courts all stem from Magna Carter.
Most of Magna Carter was finally removed from English law about 150 years ago.
The Charter of Liberties and Magna Carter where the first documents to limit the power of the Monarch and to grant rights to those he ruled. It is the ideas of the rights of individuals and the limiting of governmental power over individulas couple with the right to due process which form a basis for the constitution of the USA.
Remember that England does not have a constitution.
2007-01-19 17:01:47 · answer #3 · answered by Stewart H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Magna Carta was the first written legal document signed into law by King John of England.
It contains the right of habeas corpus. This has been the basis of law around the English speaking world.
2007-01-19 16:46:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Magna Carta was signed (forcefully) by the king to give the citizens rights - thus later leading to the constitution
2007-01-19 16:40:34 · answer #5 · answered by melissa_marie45 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Have you read the magna charta or just listened to a lecture on it? If you start to read it, you will immediately see that it established the notion that people have rights which do not come from the king, and which, therefore, the king may not tamper with.
One of the most alarming developments in recent times is George Bush's destruction of the protection of habeus corpus, a protection enshrined in the west since the Magna Charta. Since Bush has done this, he can disappear anyone.
2007-01-19 16:42:56 · answer #6 · answered by t jefferson 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Though just a beginning, it took rights away from Kings and people has some rights guaranteed them, not that of the whim of a King!
A few:
20. A freeman shall not be amerced for a slight offense, except in accordance with the degree of the offense; and for a grave offense he shall be amerced in accordance with the gravity of the offense, yet saving always his "contentment"; and a merchant in the same way, saving his "merchandise"; and a villein shall be amerced in the same way, saving his "wainage" if they have fallen into our mercy: and none of the aforesaid amercements shall be imposed except by the oath of honest men of the neighborhood.
36. Nothing in future shall be given or taken for a writ of inquisition of life or limbs, but freely it shall be granted, and never denied.
39. No freemen shall be taken or imprisoned or disseised or exiled or in any way destroyed, nor will we go upon him nor send upon him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.
40. To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right or justice.
45. We will appoint as justices, constables, sheriffs, or bailiffs only such as know the law of the realm and mean to observe it well.
See in similarities?
2007-01-19 16:52:34 · answer #7 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By the fact that it recognized citizens human rights,in 1215
2007-01-27 04:07:07 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go here and read this, it does a really good job and will give you some very good thoughts: Just don't copy it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta
2007-01-19 16:43:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋