FCLE Study Guide
Magna Carta (1215) — Written agreement
Overview:
What is it? Magna Carta means “Great Charter.” It was signed by King John of England in 1215. It
was forced upon him by English Barons (powerful landowners just below the king) who were angry
about his high taxes and abuse of power. It limited the power of the king and established the
principle that everyone (even the king) is subject to the law.
Main Ideas:
1. Rule of Law: The king must follow the law just like everyone else —> “No one is above the law”
• This became the foundation for constitutional government.
2. Due Process and Fair Trial: People cannot be imprisoned or published without fair trial —> “No
free man shall be imprisoned or stripped of rights without judgement by his peers or by the law of the
land.”
• This is like due process and trial by jury in the U.S. constitution.
3. Protection of Property Rights: The government (king) cannot take land or possessions without
following legal procedures or paying fairly.
• Inspired the 5th amendment of the U.S. constitution (It protects your rights if you’re accused of a
crime and ensures fairness from the government.) —> Part of the Bill of Rights.
4. Consent to Taxation: The king could not raise taxes without the “common counsel: (approval) of
his barons.
• This idea evolved into “No taxation without representation.”
5. Rights of the Church: The Church of England was to be free from royal interference, especially in
choosing leaders.
6. Limits on Royal Power: The King had to obey laws regarding debts, inheritance, and punishments.
Barons could check the King’s power — an early form of checks and balances (the king had to consult
them before making big decisions.)
7. Equality Before the Law: Even Barons and officials were accountable if they broke the law.
Why It Matters for U.S. Civics —> Magna Carta influences:
Rule of Law —> U.S. Constitution and all government officials bound by law.
Due process —> 5th and 14th amendment (equal rights & fair treatment for everyone. It guarantees
citizenship, fairness, and equality for all people under U.S. law.)
,Trial by Jury —> 6th and 7th amendments (6th: makes sure criminal trials are fair and transparent.)
(7th: it protects your right to a jury trial in civil cases. In lawsuits about money or property, not
crimes.)
No Taxation without representation—> American Revolution and declaration of independence.
(Being taxed without having a voice = unfair = fight for independence = form a government where
people have a say.)
Limited Government —> Basis of democracy and separation of powers. (In a democracy, the
government is supposed to serve the people, not boss them around. Separation of powers is one way
to limit the government: split into 3 branches (legislative, executive, judicial) so no one branch can
control everything.) So Limiting the government power = protects citizens = makes democracy work
= leads to dividing power among branches.
English Bill of Rights (1689)
Overview:
Definition: The English Bill Of Rights (1689) was a law that passed by Parliament after the
Glorious Revolution, when king James II was overthrown and replaced by Willian and Mary.
It limited the power of the monarchy and strengthened the power of Parliament, and listed
specific rights and freedoms for English Citizens.
Background (why it was written):
• King James was abusing his power:
2. Ignored Parliament and ruled alone
3. Raised taxes without approval
4. Punished people who disagree with him
5. Gave special treatment to catholics and discriminated against protestants.
6. Created unfair courts and unfair trials.
7. Kept standing army (soldiers in peacetime) without Parliament’s permission.
8. Took weapons from protestants while arming catholics.
9. Interfered in elections for Parliament.
10. Imposed excessive bail, unfair fines, and cruel punishments.
11. Promised fines and punishments before people were even found guilty.
• The people (and Parliament) got fed up and invited William and Mary of Orange to invade
England and take the thrown, peacefully.
⁃ This is called the Glorious Revolution (1688-1689), also known as the “Bloodless
Revolution.”
• Parliament said William and Mary could rule only if they accepted and signed the English
Bill of Rights: A list of laws limiting royal power and protecting the people’s rights.
,Major Rights Declared: The declaration states what rights people have and what the
monarch cannot do:
1.
Mayflower Compact (1620)
Overview:
⁃ The Mayflower Compact (1620) was an agreement, named after the Mayflower ship. It
was the first framework for self-government written and enacted in what would become
the United States. It was created by Pilgrims and other English settlers aboard the
Mayflower ship before they disembarked near Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
⁃ They had originally planned to land in Virginia, but when storms pushed them off course
and they found themselves outside the Virginia Company’s jurisdiction, they realized they
had no legal authority to govern themselves, and risked falling into chaos or mutiny.
⁃ To prevent disorder, they decided to form their own social and political agreement to
ensure cooperation and survival.
Purpose and Context:
⁃ The settlers did not land where they were supposed to (Virginia), so their charter was
invalid. —> A charter is a legal document issued by a king or government that gives a
person, group, or company the right to do something, like settle land, start a colony, or
form a company. It’s basically official permission and authority. Think of it like a “license”
for Virginia, and since they landed elsewhere, it did not apply.
⁃ Without laws, some colonists, especially the non-pilgrim “strangers”, refused to obey
leadership.
⁃ To avoid conflict and ensure unity, they decided to create a civil government with fair
rules made by majority agreement.
⁃ The compact acted as a temporary constitution for the colony until they received an
official charter.
Main Ideas/ Key Principles:
, 1. Consent of the Governed:
⁃ The settlers agreed to form a government by their own consent, a foundational democratic
idea later seen in American government.
⁃ They promised to obey laws created for the general good of the colony.
2. Social Contract:
⁃ Similar to philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, the colonies formed a social
contract, giving up some personal freedom for the benefit of the group’s safety and order.
⁃ Everyone agreed to work together under shared laws and leadership.
3. Civic Unity:
⁃ The compact emphasized cooperation, loyalty, and unity: the settlers promised to act as
“one civil body politic.”
⁃ This meant they would function as a single, organized community rather than separate
groups.
4. Loyalty to the King:
⁃ Despite creating their own laws, they still declared themselves loyal subjects of King James
I, showing they didn’t intend rebellion, only self-rule for practical survival.
5. Majority Rule:
⁃ Laws would be made and enforced by the majority, a key early example of democratic
governance.
Effects and Significance:
⁃ The Compact became the first governing document in the American colonies.
⁃ It introduces ideas of:
• Self-government
• Rule by majority
• Shared responsibility
Magna Carta (1215) — Written agreement
Overview:
What is it? Magna Carta means “Great Charter.” It was signed by King John of England in 1215. It
was forced upon him by English Barons (powerful landowners just below the king) who were angry
about his high taxes and abuse of power. It limited the power of the king and established the
principle that everyone (even the king) is subject to the law.
Main Ideas:
1. Rule of Law: The king must follow the law just like everyone else —> “No one is above the law”
• This became the foundation for constitutional government.
2. Due Process and Fair Trial: People cannot be imprisoned or published without fair trial —> “No
free man shall be imprisoned or stripped of rights without judgement by his peers or by the law of the
land.”
• This is like due process and trial by jury in the U.S. constitution.
3. Protection of Property Rights: The government (king) cannot take land or possessions without
following legal procedures or paying fairly.
• Inspired the 5th amendment of the U.S. constitution (It protects your rights if you’re accused of a
crime and ensures fairness from the government.) —> Part of the Bill of Rights.
4. Consent to Taxation: The king could not raise taxes without the “common counsel: (approval) of
his barons.
• This idea evolved into “No taxation without representation.”
5. Rights of the Church: The Church of England was to be free from royal interference, especially in
choosing leaders.
6. Limits on Royal Power: The King had to obey laws regarding debts, inheritance, and punishments.
Barons could check the King’s power — an early form of checks and balances (the king had to consult
them before making big decisions.)
7. Equality Before the Law: Even Barons and officials were accountable if they broke the law.
Why It Matters for U.S. Civics —> Magna Carta influences:
Rule of Law —> U.S. Constitution and all government officials bound by law.
Due process —> 5th and 14th amendment (equal rights & fair treatment for everyone. It guarantees
citizenship, fairness, and equality for all people under U.S. law.)
,Trial by Jury —> 6th and 7th amendments (6th: makes sure criminal trials are fair and transparent.)
(7th: it protects your right to a jury trial in civil cases. In lawsuits about money or property, not
crimes.)
No Taxation without representation—> American Revolution and declaration of independence.
(Being taxed without having a voice = unfair = fight for independence = form a government where
people have a say.)
Limited Government —> Basis of democracy and separation of powers. (In a democracy, the
government is supposed to serve the people, not boss them around. Separation of powers is one way
to limit the government: split into 3 branches (legislative, executive, judicial) so no one branch can
control everything.) So Limiting the government power = protects citizens = makes democracy work
= leads to dividing power among branches.
English Bill of Rights (1689)
Overview:
Definition: The English Bill Of Rights (1689) was a law that passed by Parliament after the
Glorious Revolution, when king James II was overthrown and replaced by Willian and Mary.
It limited the power of the monarchy and strengthened the power of Parliament, and listed
specific rights and freedoms for English Citizens.
Background (why it was written):
• King James was abusing his power:
2. Ignored Parliament and ruled alone
3. Raised taxes without approval
4. Punished people who disagree with him
5. Gave special treatment to catholics and discriminated against protestants.
6. Created unfair courts and unfair trials.
7. Kept standing army (soldiers in peacetime) without Parliament’s permission.
8. Took weapons from protestants while arming catholics.
9. Interfered in elections for Parliament.
10. Imposed excessive bail, unfair fines, and cruel punishments.
11. Promised fines and punishments before people were even found guilty.
• The people (and Parliament) got fed up and invited William and Mary of Orange to invade
England and take the thrown, peacefully.
⁃ This is called the Glorious Revolution (1688-1689), also known as the “Bloodless
Revolution.”
• Parliament said William and Mary could rule only if they accepted and signed the English
Bill of Rights: A list of laws limiting royal power and protecting the people’s rights.
,Major Rights Declared: The declaration states what rights people have and what the
monarch cannot do:
1.
Mayflower Compact (1620)
Overview:
⁃ The Mayflower Compact (1620) was an agreement, named after the Mayflower ship. It
was the first framework for self-government written and enacted in what would become
the United States. It was created by Pilgrims and other English settlers aboard the
Mayflower ship before they disembarked near Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
⁃ They had originally planned to land in Virginia, but when storms pushed them off course
and they found themselves outside the Virginia Company’s jurisdiction, they realized they
had no legal authority to govern themselves, and risked falling into chaos or mutiny.
⁃ To prevent disorder, they decided to form their own social and political agreement to
ensure cooperation and survival.
Purpose and Context:
⁃ The settlers did not land where they were supposed to (Virginia), so their charter was
invalid. —> A charter is a legal document issued by a king or government that gives a
person, group, or company the right to do something, like settle land, start a colony, or
form a company. It’s basically official permission and authority. Think of it like a “license”
for Virginia, and since they landed elsewhere, it did not apply.
⁃ Without laws, some colonists, especially the non-pilgrim “strangers”, refused to obey
leadership.
⁃ To avoid conflict and ensure unity, they decided to create a civil government with fair
rules made by majority agreement.
⁃ The compact acted as a temporary constitution for the colony until they received an
official charter.
Main Ideas/ Key Principles:
, 1. Consent of the Governed:
⁃ The settlers agreed to form a government by their own consent, a foundational democratic
idea later seen in American government.
⁃ They promised to obey laws created for the general good of the colony.
2. Social Contract:
⁃ Similar to philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, the colonies formed a social
contract, giving up some personal freedom for the benefit of the group’s safety and order.
⁃ Everyone agreed to work together under shared laws and leadership.
3. Civic Unity:
⁃ The compact emphasized cooperation, loyalty, and unity: the settlers promised to act as
“one civil body politic.”
⁃ This meant they would function as a single, organized community rather than separate
groups.
4. Loyalty to the King:
⁃ Despite creating their own laws, they still declared themselves loyal subjects of King James
I, showing they didn’t intend rebellion, only self-rule for practical survival.
5. Majority Rule:
⁃ Laws would be made and enforced by the majority, a key early example of democratic
governance.
Effects and Significance:
⁃ The Compact became the first governing document in the American colonies.
⁃ It introduces ideas of:
• Self-government
• Rule by majority
• Shared responsibility
