how do both the magna carta and the declaration of the rights of man protect peoples rights and limit the power of rulers

both documents focus on trade and the economy not on peoples rights or limiting rulers power
both documents are mainly about religious rules and the divine right of kings
both documents list rights for people like fair trials and protection from unfair imprisonment making sure rulers follow the law
both documents give all the power to the king and leave the people with no rights

1 answer

The correct statement regarding how both the Magna Carta and the Declaration of the Rights of Man protect people's rights and limit the power of rulers is:

Both documents list rights for people like fair trials and protection from unfair imprisonment, making sure rulers follow the law.

Explanation:

  1. Magna Carta (1215):

    • Signed by King John of England, it established the principle that everyone, including the king, is subject to the law.
    • It included clauses that guaranteed certain legal rights, such as the right to a fair trial and protection from unlawful detention.
    • This document limited the king’s power by ensuring that he could not impose arbitrary justice and had to respect certain legal processes.
  2. Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789):

    • Adopted during the French Revolution, it articulated fundamental rights and freedoms, emphasizing the importance of equality and liberty for all citizens.
    • It enumerated rights such as freedom of speech, freedom from arbitrary arrest, and the right to a fair trial, thereby aiming to protect individuals from abuses of power by the state.
    • It aimed to limit the powers of rulers by establishing that sovereignty resides in the nation, not in a monarchy.

Both documents are foundational to the development of modern democracy and legal rights, fundamentally shifting the balance of power between the governed and those who govern.