The Magna Carta

How did the success of the civil rights movement and abolishment of slavery open doors to the election of the first Black American President of the United States, Barack Obama?
December 31, 2022
Democracy, Monarchy and the Magna Carta
December 31, 2022

The Magna Carta

Description

Your assignment is to write an essay to discuss the changes in forms of government across Europe, including the development of democracy in Athens, and show how democracy gave way to monarchy and autocracy in the Roman empire and later in Europe during the Middle Ages. In the essay, you should discuss what a democracy was in Athens, why Athenians worked towards the common good, and instituted measures to address corruption. Also, how and why did that democracy fail and give way to a monarchy? Be sure to define each term. What individual rights did citizens have under Augustus? Finally, how did monarchy look like for the people of Europe during the Middle Ages? How did Europeans push back to try to gain more individual rights using documents such as the Magna Carta?

The Magna Carta, also known as the Great Charter, was signed by King John at Runnymeade in a concession to his barons. What was the purpose of the Magna Carta? Who did the Magna Carta apply to? What legal changes were the barons trying to make or and what were they trying to emphasize to King John? How many times was it reissued? What has the Magna Carta become a symbol of? What other important documents in history are modeled on the Magna Carta?

Use the documents, videos and podcasts above and your textbook to support your claim. Your essay will be graded on how well you (1) answer the questions posed; (2) develop a clear thesis statement and support it with evidence; (3) use proper citation; (4) use good English grammar and spelling to develop clear writing; and (5) explore the main ideas about democracy, monarchy, and the Magna Carta. You must cite your sources using Chicago Manual of Style Author/Date style.

Details: Listen to the podcasts, watch the short video on the Greeks (only the section given), and look at the website on the Magna Carta. Write a detailed essay answering the above questions. You must use standard essay format (minimum of introductory paragraph with a strong thesis statement, at least 3 supporting paragraphs and a strong concluding paragraph).

Plagiarism Tutorial: This must have been completed BEFORE you turn in your essay. You must have sent the results to my email address. This counts towards your writing grade.

Topic: Democracy, Monarchy and the Magna Carta

Due Date: Friday, July 9, 2021.

Length: 750-1000 words (3-4 pages double spaced), including cover page and bibliography page.

Format: Times New Roman, 12 point, double spaced

Citations: Chicago Manual of Style Author-Date format

Sources: The documentary, podcasts and webpage and your textbook ONLY!!! You should only have 5 sources on your bibliography page.

Plagiarism will result in you being reported to the Dean of Students for academic dishonesty. Late assignments will not be graded.

 


Readings To help

WEBSITE: British Library, “Magna Carta (Links to an external site.)

VIDEO: PBS, “The Greeks: Chasing Greatness” [23:24-28:00 minutes]

PODCAST: Civics101, “Founding Documents: Magna Carta (Links to an external site)

PODCAST: Civics101: Autocracies, Oligarchies and Democracies