Civic Literacy Practice Test 2026 - Free Civic Literacy Questions and Study Guide

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was primarily concerned with the limitation of the king's powers, particularly King John of England. This historic document was a response to the king's overreach and arbitrary rule, which had become a point of contention among the barons and other nobles. By establishing the principle that the monarch's authority could be constrained by law, the Magna Carta laid the groundwork for the development of constitutional governance.

It introduced concepts such as due process and the idea that the king was not above the law, which was revolutionary at the time. The Magna Carta is often seen as an early step in the evolution towards more representative forms of government, influencing later legal documents and constitutional frameworks, ultimately promoting the idea that government should be limited and accountable.