DISCUSSION
Magna Carta, the charter of English liberties granted by King John on June 15, 1215, under threat of civil war and reissued, with alterations, in 1216, 1217, and 1225. By declaring the sovereign to be subject to the rule of law and documenting the liberties held by “free men,” the Magna Carta provided the foundation for individual rights in Anglo-American jurisprudence.
Here is a link which shows you the complexity of the Magna Carta (via The Magna Carta Project). Take the time to peruse it, so you will get an idea of the issues of the day between the baron landlords and John, the king.
Here is the text of our Declaration of Independence (via the National Archives). Think of two aspects of rights that are touched upon in both documents and present two ideas from each document to give an indication of perspectives. Are the perspectives for each aspect either similar or different (or both)? Explain your thoughts.
Please Note: Each discussion response must have a minimum of 125 words, spell checked, well written and citing references in support of arguments. Be sure to also respond to at least two classmates later in the week (making for a minimum of three posts total. More are encouraged).
FIRST DISCUSSION POST
Over 500 years set apart the Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was like the Magna Carta, and there is no doubt it was influenced by it. The concepts of individual’s rights and the limitations of the government rings true to both doctrines. In the Declaration of Independence, it states that among rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. There is a parallel between this line and the idea that the Magna Carta was written to relinquish absolute power from the King’s and allow individuals to have rights and freedom that was not there before. Furthermore, it states in the Declaration that whenever a government becomes destructive that the people have the right alter, end it, and establish a new government to help the individuals. This is like the democratic society that people wanted to live in when writing the Magna Carta. In addition, we see that the concept of due process was influenced by the Magna Carta as well. Wrongful imprisonment was reversed after the Magna Carta, and we have that with our due process of law in our society.
Overall, I believe that both the Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence are two doctrines that represent freedom and liberty. It is not a shock that contents of our constitution were derived from the Magna Carta. It set the foundation of a democratic society that we all live in.
References:
Landrith, G (February 2021). Magna Carta’s Influence on the Declaration of Independence and U.S Constitution.
SECON DISCUSSION POST
One aspect from both documents that touch upon is that they both contemplate the idea that the government should not have ultimate power. One other similarity is that both documents were created under the compulsion of rebellion. The Thirteen colonies States in the declaration, rebelled against the British empire, and the Nobles in Magna Carta, rebelled against the king.
The Magna Carta built the Moral and political aspect that American foundations were laid upon, and the idea that people can maintain their rights in anticipation of an oppressive ruler. By July 4, 1776, the Magna Carta ideas were that the government could and should protect its citizens, and individuals rights.
Thomas Jefferson’s in the declaration of independence, had the ideas of liberty and freedom.
The bill of rights is based on the idea that all people have fundamental rights that should be protected by their governments.
The Magna Carta and the declaration of independence have similarities and differences. But I think the motives behind each document were to protect and defend “the people” rights. According to both documents, all men are created equal that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights: Life, Liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
https://magnacartaresearch.org/read/magna_carta_1215/!all
https://mylearning.suny.edu/d2l/le/content/292052/viewContent/8145182/View
PLEASE REPLY TO BOTH DISCUSSIONS POSTS ABOVE. THANK YOU!
