The Magna Carta, granted by King John on June 15, 1215, established fundamental English liberties and limited the power of the monarchy to protect the rights of 'free men'. It served as a foundation for individual rights and became a symbol against oppression, influencing future democratic principles and legal frameworks, including the U.S. Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Key provisions included protections for widows, the right to a jury trial, and safeguards against unlawful imprisonment.

1. Magna Carta

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• The Magna Carta was a charter of English liberties granted by King
John, June 15th 1215, under threat of civil war from rebellious barons
• Documented the rights and liberties held by ‘free men’
• Curtailed (reduced) the power of King John and his successors
• Provided the foundation for individual rights
• Symbol in the battle against oppression
• Whenever liberty seemed to be in danger, men spoke of the charter
as their defense
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xo4tUMdAMw
What is the Magna Carta?

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• In April 1199, King John seized the English throne after his brother (Richard I) died in battle
• John stole land, kidnapped and used innocent people as well as starved people to death
• Gave harsh punishments for small crimes
• John rose taxes of the people so high that many could not afford to live
• King John was so hated that no future Kings were named John
• Everyone was sick of John’s cruel ways
• Barons gathered an army and announced a rebellion
Why was it issued?

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• Provided refuge for widowed women to inherit assets
• Clause 8: “At her husband’s death, a widow may have her marriage portion and
inheritance at once without trouble”
• Trail by jury
• Clause 38: “In future no official shall place a man on trail upon his own unsupported
statement, without producing credible witnesses to the truth of it
• Clause 39: “No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his
rights…outlawed or exiled…deprived of his standing…except by the lawful
judgement…”
Changes

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Relevance today
• Start of democracy and parliament
• Habeas Corpus Act of 1967
• American Bill of Rights issued in 1869
• U.S. Constitution 1787
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948