How did the Magna Carta weaken the feudal system and lead to representative government in England?

What is the Magna Carta?  A. A document that King John of England was forced to sign. B. It greatly reduced the power of the King. C. It formed the English parliament. D. It became the basis for English citizen's rights. E. The United States Constitution was inspired by the Magna Carta.

Nation States  A. Nation-state - Self-governing countries made up of people with a common cultural background. B. France, England, Russia developed as Nation-States during the Middle Ages.  

William the Conqueror 1. He became known as William the Conqueror.  A. In 1066 the Norman duke William conquered England from France. 1. He became known as William the Conqueror. B. He introduced the idea of feudalism to England. 1. Feudalism weakened the power of the nobles (Lords) and strengthened the power of the monarchy. 2. Monarchy - A system of government in which one person reigns (rules), usually a king or queen. -a monarch has ALL the power over the people and their land.

C. Starting with William, the kings of England wanted more power. D. They would create new taxes and take nobles' property without the nobles agreement. E. Nobles began to look for a way to limit the king's power and protect their own rights.

King John of England A. Was considered a tyrannical, oppressive king. B. He was an absolute monarch (ruler). C. He raised taxes on the nobles without their consent. 1. He raised taxes to fight his wars.

D. He fought a losing war in France. E. He was excommunicated from the church. 1. Excommunicated - a person is expelled from the church for not following the rules or beliefs of a church. 2. He replaced archbishops in the church without the pope's permission. 3. He placed heavy taxes on the church to pay for his wars.

Magna Carta Magna Carta - (Latin for Great Charter) a document that gave certain rights to the English people and limited the power of the king.  A. King John signed the Magna Carta with the Nobles

B. The Nobles (called Barons in England) drew up the Magna Carta to limit the King's power. 1. It stated that the king must follow the law. 2. He could not simply rule as he wished. 3. The Magna Carta gave nobles the right to declare war on the king if he did not follow the document. 4. It formed the Great Council. C. Great Council - A group of nobles that advised the king.

Rights in the Magna Carta A. Gave basic rights to the English people. B. LIMITED THE KING’S POWER. C. King could not raise taxes without approval of the nobles. D. Rule of Law - the idea that all people follow the law, and law is applied and enforced fairly.

E. Beginning of Representative Assemblies - a person who represents others and meets with other representatives to make laws.

F. Due process - a citizen gets fair treatment in the court system. 1. "No Freeman shall be seized or imprisoned or stripped of his rights or possessions, or exiled, or in any way destroyed...except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land." G. Trial by Jury- group of citizens that judges court cases. 1. Limits government abuse and power.

Effects of the Magna Carta A. Great Council eventually became the English Parliament years later. 1. English Parliament - England's representative government. 2. English Parliament - Eventually became the first democratically, legislative body in Europe.

Effects of the Magna Carta B. Weakened   feudalism and its social hierarchy. C. United States Constitution - We have Due Process and trial by jury in the United States as stated in our Constitution.