What was the main purpose of the Magna Carta?

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, primarily aimed to limit the power of the monarchy and establish certain legal rights. This historic document marked a foundational moment in the development of constitutional governance by asserting that the king was not above the law. It introduced concepts such as due process and the idea that individuals had certain lawful rights that the sovereign could not infringe upon.

This limitation of governmental authority was revolutionary at the time and laid the groundwork for the rule of law, influencing later democratic principles and documents, including the U.S. Constitution. By curtailing the arbitrary power of the king, the Magna Carta became a critical symbol of resistance to tyranny and an early step toward the establishment of a system where the power of the government is balanced by the rights of the governed.

The other options reflect different aspects of governance that were either not addressed by the Magna Carta or emerged later in historical context. For example, the right to vote was not a focus of the document; it was primarily about the power dynamics between the monarchy and the aristocracy. Additionally, while checks and balances became a significant feature in later democratic frameworks, the Magna Carta's primary purpose was not to create such a system, but rather to ensure that the king would use his