Magna Carta
What is the Magna Carta?
The Magna Carta is a document that King John of England was forced into signing.
King John was forced into signing the charter because it greatly reduced the power
he held as the King of England and allowed for the formation of a powerful
parliament. The Magna Carta became the basis for English citizen's rights.
Nation-States
Nation-states did not happen at the same time in Europe. Nation-states are selfgoverning countries made up of people with a same cultural background. France
and England developed as nation-states during the late Middle Ages.
England
MAGNA CARTA EFFECTS ENGLAND
France
1
William the Conqueror
William invaded and conquered England. This led to him
giving his conquered lands to loyal followers who helped him
conquer the land. During this time period, William the
Conqueror established feudalism in England. This weakened
the power of the nobles (landowners) while strengthening the
power of the monarchy (king or queen). This strengthening the
power of the monarchy resulted in an absolute monarchy
(king or queen). An absolute ruler is when the monarchy (king
or queen) has all the power over all people and their land.
Other kings were influence, by William the Conqueror’s
leadership style that will cause future conflict.
King John
King John was an absolute ruler during his
reign (time period of ruling). He made a lot
people angry and became unpopular among
the English nobles (wealthy land owners). One
of the many situations that made his reign
(time period of ruling) complicated was that
he was the first English monarch to become
excommunicated. Excommunication is when
someone is expelled from the church for not
following the rules/beliefs of the church. He
was excommunicated because he replaced
all the archbishops that he did not like without
the popes blessing. What made matters worse,
was that he heavily taxed the church and
seized portions of its land to pay for his military
defeats.
Question: How do you think the pope of the Catholic Church felt about King
John?
MAGNA CARTA EFFECTS ENGLAND
2
King John was even more unpopular among nobles,
whom he heavily taxed for his military defeats. After the
heavy taxes he then launched another unsuccessful
invasion of France and taxed the English nobles again to
pay for his war. These military actions lead to a revolt
(fight) of nobles because they felt they were being
taxed too much. England’s King John was facing a
possible rebellion by the country’s powerful barons
(nobles). Under pressure, he was forced to agree to sign
a charter known as the Magna Carta (or Great Charter)
that would limit the powers of the king. This means that
the he had to follow the same laws as the other people
he ruled. This democratic document gave more power
to the nobles.
Question: How do you think the nobles felt about King John?
Effects of the Magna Carta
It set forth the basic rights of the English nobles
and allowed the creation of assemblies, and
having some control in how taxes were decided.
The document brought about the formation of
the Great Council that advised the king. Later
this Great Council would be known as the English
Parliament.
It also established due process (a citizen’s right
to justice) and trials by a jury. This document
limited the powers of the king and helped to
weaken feudalism in England. Later these
individual rights would be given to all the people
of England.
Question: What American document do we have today in our
government that was influenced by the Magna Carta?
MAGNA CARTA EFFECTS ENGLAND
3
Question: In what ways are they similar? Be specific
Great Council
Congress
Question: How are the subjects in these pictures related?
Question: Look at the picture above. Describe what is happening and the
people who are involved.
MAGNA CARTA EFFECTS ENGLAND
4
MAGNA CARTA EFFECTS ENGLAND
5