1. The Background
1215
Magna Carta

2. 1215 and the Magna Carta
*Document that became the basis for English citizen’s rights
*signed by King John and a group of powerful Nobles in 1215 after the Nobles took up arms against the King with backing from the Catholic Church

3. Magna Carta Main Ideas: Church would be free from royal interference
No extra taxes could be levied without consent of Council of Nobles
Citizens given right to due process and a fair trial
All citizens should have “natural rights”

4. Principles of Magna Carta
How it effected the King:
King was denied the right to confiscate property.
An increase in taxes (adding money to the coffers/treasury) had to be approved
The first Parliament was established

5. Specific Effects
Eventually led to modern day representative government
There were two social groups: NOBLES AND COMMONERS
These created the two houses in Parliament (basis for Congress)

6. Keep’em Happy
The Middle class were put in positions of authority and reported only to the king.
Such positions allowed the middle class to rule their townships
They became accustomed to SELF-RULE with little supervision.

7. Magna Carta
Basic Ideals of Magna Carta became the cornerstone of the English Constitution and the reference for those who would write the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.

8. The ideas of Self-Rule went to the New World with the Middle Class!!

9. Cartoon Strip
King John abused his power by raising taxes, stealing land, and passing unfair laws.
A group of Nobles took up arms against the King and made him sign the Magna Carta.
The Magna Carta put a limit on the Kings power and created the first Parliament.
Ideas in the Magna Carta were used in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.