How Did the Magna Carta Influence the American Constitution?

The Magna Carta significantly influenced the American Constitution by laying the groundwork for the concepts of individual rights, due process, and the rule of law. This medieval document, which King John of England originally stamped with his seal in 1215, eventually became a cornerstone for the development of constitutional governance, not just in England but throughout and beyond the English speaking world, including the United States.

The Magna Carta was pivotal in establishing the idea that the sovereign is subject to the law, a principle that resonated deeply with the framers of the American Constitution. It documented the liberties of “free men,” which later inspired the American Bill of Rights. The Magna Carta’s emphasis on due process and the protection of individual rights became a model for the U.S. Constitution, which enshrines these principles in its amendments. The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, for example, ensure that no person is deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, a concept given foundational expression in the Magna Carta. The principle of due process has been a bedrock of American legal thought, generally ensuring fairness and justice in the legal system.

Beyond specific legal principles, the Magna Carta served as a powerful symbol of liberty and justice. The Magna Carta’s legacy as a document that challenged tyranny and advocated for the rights of individuals inspired the American founders as they crafted a new government based on democratic ideals.