Magna+Carta

Magna Carta by-Katie Gepford **INTRODUCTION** Magna Carta was a document established in 1215. It was the first document forced onto an English King by a group of his barons in an attempt to limit his powers by law and protect their privileges. Magna Carta is normally understood to refer to a single document. Many versions of Magna Carta appeared in later years, but the 1297 version remains on England and Wales today. Magna Carta was probably the biggest influence that led to constitutional law today. Magna Carta influenced the development of the common law and many other documents, including the United States Constitution. The Magna Carta was established for many reasons. **HOW DID THE MAGNA CARTA START?** When the king Richard the Lionhearted died in 1199 AD, his younger brother John became king of England. The barons (rich men) of England hated John. Compared to the king of France, Philippe Augustus, King John looked weak.

Philippe Augustus chose to inherit Normandy, a region in northern France along the English Channel, instead of John in order to take away some of John's power. The barons of Normandy and Anjou (another region in France) decided they would rather be ruled by Philippe than by John, and so they agreed to fight on Philippe’s side. By 1204, John lost most of his land in France.

John continued to fight with everyone and lose; first with the Pope, and then when he tried to get his land in France back. By 1215, the English barons had had enough of him, and they got together an army and marched on London. John was forced to sign the paper they put in front of him, which is known as the Magna Carta. This letter wrote down two new ideas. The first was that the king had to obey the law, like all other people. The second idea was that if the king broke the law, the barons had the right to remove the king and choose a new one. The barons formed a council of the king. This council could stop the king from doing unnecessary things, like collecting new taxes, unless the council said it was okay.

The Magna Carta impacted the world in many ways. It made possible trial by jury and enforced the separation of church and state. The council of the king in the Magna Carta was an example of checks and balances to make sure King John didn’t have too much power. Power of veto was also influenced by this document. Without the veto, most likely every bill in the U.S. would pass and become a law! Other than restriction of the king and benefits for the people, the Magna Carta also put down a clear set of rules for the common people to follow. For example, when people died, they didn’t have to give their possessions and land to the church, they could have the power to give them to a family member to inherit. Also, under the Magna Carta, it stated that the people can pick what job they want to have. Before the document, King John would force citizens to have a certain job. The Magna Carta influenced a lot of aspects to the U.S. government and constitution.
 * HOW DID THE MAGNA CARTA IMPACT THE WORLD?**

To see all of the Magna Carta in its full form, click [|here]

MLA CITATIONS "King John and the Magna Carta" 23 April 2009 

"Magna Carta." 15 April 2009 .