Influence of Magna Carta
As they crossed the Atlantic, the early colonists brought with them incredible baggage in the form of English political history. An understanding of how this baggage affected the creation of United States government begins with looking the influence of Magna Carta and other English political documents (Hazeltine, 1917).
What is Magna Carta? Watch the video below to learn more! Source: British Library (via YouTube.com).
What is Magna Carta? Watch the video below to learn more! Source: British Library (via YouTube.com).
Magna Carta, adopted in 1215, established a limited government. With the charter in effect, the power of the monarchy was no longer absolute. It was issued by King John of England to improve relations between the monarchy and the general population. Essentially, it was his admission that everyone, even rulers, should live inside the law, and that there would be consequences for breaking the law. Among many other issues, Magna Carta outlines “fundamental” rights granted to every free Englishman (Hazeltine, 1917). Perhaps the most famous clause is clause three:
No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by the law of the land. To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice.
This clause inspired Amendment IV of the United States Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair and speedy trial (Breay & Harrison, 2015).
Much prior to the creation of the Constitution, the Virginia colony drew up a charter that outlined the rights of early colonists, much like Magna Carta. However, Virginia was not the only colony to adopt or adapt ideas inherent to Magna Carta. Both North Carolina and South Carolina adopted Magna Carta and several other English laws they deemed necessary for successful government; other colonies developed laws that fell in accordance with Magna Carta. Furthermore, the language of the great charter is pervasive through colonial political and governmental documents, indicating the widespread influence of the document on the development of government within the colonies (Hazeltine, 1917).
Much prior to the creation of the Constitution, the Virginia colony drew up a charter that outlined the rights of early colonists, much like Magna Carta. However, Virginia was not the only colony to adopt or adapt ideas inherent to Magna Carta. Both North Carolina and South Carolina adopted Magna Carta and several other English laws they deemed necessary for successful government; other colonies developed laws that fell in accordance with Magna Carta. Furthermore, the language of the great charter is pervasive through colonial political and governmental documents, indicating the widespread influence of the document on the development of government within the colonies (Hazeltine, 1917).