Magna Carta Declaration Of Independence

1083 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Magna Carta and its key provisions

The Sealing of the Magna Carta On June 15, 1215, angry barons forced King John of England to sign the Magna Carta in order to limit his power and give more power to the nobility. This charter consisted of a preamble and sixty-three clauses. It gave rights to barons and other powerful citizens, while setting the stage to give all Britain citizens a voice in the government. Over the next decade, it was altered into what is now known today as perhaps the most influential document in history. It greatly influenced the American Declaration of Independence, the current law in Britain, and the current law in almost every country in the world, both directly and indirectly. And while only four clauses of the Magna Carta are still in effect, it sets the very foundation for democracy as we know it.
America still celebrates the sealing of the Magna Carta today, and for good reason. The Magna Carta is the basis for our …show more content…

Canada’s Constitution, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, contains similar clauses to the Magna Carta, such as a law referencing to Clause 39 and a law referencing the freedom of the church. Other countries, such as India, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Africa, and Australia still have parts of the Magna Carta or clauses similar to the Magna Carta in their constitutions, charters, and other legal documents. The Philippines used the Magna Carta as an example and namesake for its Magna Carta of Women, which gives rights and suffrage to women. Australia could quite possibly still be a penal colony for Britain. Australia was freed from British rule for many reasons, one of which was the laws put in place by the Magna Carta, giving rights to all British citizens. Without the Magna Carta, many, if not all of these countries, could still be under British

Show More
Related

  • Comparing Magna Carta And John Locke's Second Treatise On Government

    689 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Magna Carta provides protection for English citizens by limiting the power of the government. This protection can be explained through a parable: Sam Purcell of Sheffield is building a house for his family. On a chilly, November morning the noble that is in charge of Sheffield starts taking wood from Sam’s temporary shed, (where he is building his house,) for his castle. The Magna Carta makes this illegal without the consent of the owner, (31) Neither we nor any royal official will take wood for our castle, or for any other purpose, without the consent of the owner. King John of England undersigned the Magna Carta; this shaped the start of England’s constitutional monarchy. Instead of being an absolute monarchy, King John and his descendants had to abide the laws listed in the charter. Without the Magna Carta, the United States might exist without the constitution or might not exist at

    Read More

  • Foundations of US Government

    642 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Magna Carta was the first document in which English subjects to force English king into power; granting and protecting the subjects’ rights. This was important since the king at the time could do anything that he so desired. However, in practice, this English legal charter did not limit the king’s power. The Magna Carta is the beginnings of American freedom. It is also the foundation of the American Constitution, reflecting English freedom and the power of the English government.

    Read More

  • Magna Carta Australia Analysis

    1684 Words  | 4 Pages

    First of all, it was achieved by force. A promise brought about by coercion is rarely considered valid, least of all by the person who was forced to make that promise. King John wanted to keep his crown and was willing to sign any piece of paper in order to do that: he had no intention of keeping the promise his signature gave. In fact, through the pope, John rejected it almost immediately. All this is not to say that rejection and ignorance of this charter makes it completely insignificant, after all, it has remained in politics for hundreds of years. Instead, it is to show that at the time the document was written, the Magna Carta was not legally binding.

    Read More

  • Declaration Of Independence

    1583 Words  | 4 Pages

    It was the 4th of July in 1776 when delegates from all thirteen colonies assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Not knowing the full significance of what was about to take place that day,the delegates would do something that would forever change the course of the American people.

    Read More

  • The Declaration of Independence

    702 Words  | 2 Pages

    Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence for the American colonists to proclaim freedom from Great Britain's oppressor, King George III. American colonists had been suffering for many years when this important document was drafted. King George III had pushed the colonists into a state of tyranny and most decided it was time to start an independent nation under a different type of government. Jefferson focused his piece toward many audiences. He wanted not only King George III and the British Parliament to know the American's feelings, but also the entire world. The time had come for an immense change amongst the American colonists and Jefferson made sure everyone was aware of it by using his superior strategies of persuasion.

    Read More

  • Declaration of Independence

    867 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Conclusion this Document was written to bring Independence to the United States of America. This document clearly stated the claim and supported it overwhelming good. They continued to give reasoning on why the country was at risk and why they are fighting for their freedom. Every claim made within the document is supported thoroughly by facts from credible educated sources. This document brings to life the citizens of the thirteen states at that time because it was arguing for their freedom. Still to this day we look back at the Declaration of Independence and see it as a back bone to our country’s freedom. Therefore, this is why we celebrate our freedom every 4th of July due to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

    Read More

  • The Declaration of Independence

    315 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Declaration of Independence includes four parts. The first part is the Preamble, which explains why the Continental Congress drew up the Declaration. They felt their reason should be explained to England.

    Read More

  • John Locke Declaration Of Independence

    121 Words  | 1 Pages

    The declaration of independence adopted on July 4, 1776 draws influence heavily from the philosophy of John Locke. Who wrote his second Treatise On Government in 1690 stating that humans by nature are free, equal, and independent. Our saying that all people deserve the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is a revision of Locke's philosophy. Which was originally just life, liberty, and property. Our founding fathers believed in this philosophy and made it the foundation of our country's beliefs. This had a domino effect on France who saw value of this philosophy in government and created their own version of the declaration of independence. Which would be entitled, The Declaration Of The Rights Of Man And

    Read More

  • The Declaration of Independence

    405 Words  | 1 Pages

    There are many important factors in the Declaration of Independence, which enable the foundation of a new government. These range from describing grievances with England, to how government should be run differently, to the first statement of separation. The first step to the foundation of a new government is the uniting of a people in a common goal. Since all people were feeling violated by English soldiers, it was necessary to state these grievances in order to make people aware that they are not alone. When people learned that others felt the same as them emotion was stirred. The Declaration of Independence listed the grievances such as, “He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.” The next important step to the foundation of a new government was to gain peoples ambition by showing how the government would be run if a new party took over. This goal was achieved by stating the rights of man. “We hold these truths to be self evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This statement made people hopeful and feel kindly toward this new government. The final step in the preparation for a new government was separation from the old government. This was declared twice in the Declaration of Independence. In the beginning, “That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, driving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” and in the end, “that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. In conclusion, the Declaration of Independence was able to motivate people, give them ambition, and made it simple for Americans to take action.

    Read More

  • The Declaration of Independence

    1122 Words  | 3 Pages

    Two Hundred and thirty-seven years ago one of the most masterful documents in history was created, which is The Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence expressed Thomas Jefferson’s along with the fifty-five American colonists’ vision of revolution towards independence, and a new government pronouncing rupture from Great Britain. In the document, Thomas Jefferson, the author, established that if their government fails to protect their inalienable rights to life, pursuit of happiness and liberty the people have the right to eradicate it. The Declaration of Independence was ratified declaring the United States free and independent on July 4th, 1776. This document was evidently very influentially serious and meaningful as all those men promised to, “Mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” Thus, the Declaration of Independence was a successful document due to Jefferson appealing most effectively through diction, syntax, literary devices and most importantly rhetoric to justify the renouncement from the British Crown.

    Read More

  • The Declaration of Independence

    550 Words  | 2 Pages

    In The Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson asserted that “all men are created equal […] with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and pursuit of Happiness.” that became underlying principles of our modern society (80). However, one may argue that The Declaration of Independence neither promoted equality nor justice among humankind, because both before and after the American Revolution slaves and women did not have the same rights as men. Nevertheless, Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence might have influenced Douglass’s quest for justice in terms of commitment to human rights and equality.

    Read More

  • Declaration Of Independence

    629 Words  | 2 Pages

    About two months ago I still thought that the Declaration of Independence was something written a few hundred years ago, and was very famous, but had no real historical value. I just thought it was a nice thing, and after it became famous was adapted as a work of art. And to be honest I didnt even know what signifagance it had and how much it really did for out country. But after reading the Declaration of Independence, by Carl Becker, I found out what it really meant. In this report I will not only prove that I read the book, but show what affect it had on our country, the independent Unites States of America.

    Read More

  • Thomas Jefferson Declaration Of Independence

    964 Words  | 2 Pages

    Did you know that the author of the Declaration of Independence was a 33 year old? Did you know that the Declaration was written in 17 days? Our third president Thomas Jefferson was the man who accomplished these monumental tasks. Through out his lifetime he molded America into the great country it is now; free from monarchy and unjust taxation. What drove Thomas Jefferson to strive for freedom? What were his beliefs? Who were his mentors? Where did he get his education? Where did he grow up? These are all things that Americans should know about this great man. Thomas Jefferson was the author of freedom.

    Read More

  • Declaration of Independence

    1341 Words  | 3 Pages

    Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is perhaps the most masterfully written document of Western civilization. This essay seeks to illuminate that artistry by probing the discourse microscopically at the level of the sentence, phrase, word, and syllable. By approaching the Declaration in this way, we can shed light both on its literary qualities and on its rhetorical power as a work designed to convince the American colonies they were justified in seeking to establish them as an independent nation. The introduction consists of the first paragraph a single, lengthy, periodic sentence: When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. Taken out of context, this sentence is general it could be used as the introduction to a declaration by anyone.

    Read More

  • Essay On Magna Carta

    1001 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Magna Carta On June 15th, 1215, in a field at Runnymede, King John and the Barons signed The Magna Carta. This was a royal charter drawn up by the barons to insure King John would treat them fairly and equally. This document consists of political rights and a series of written promises. When the Barons made this document, it was their attempt to stop the King from possessing too much power and abusing it.

    Read More

More about Magna Carta Declaration Of Independence

Open Document