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What significant document limited the king’s ability to tax in England?

The Bill of Rights

The English Settlement

The Magna Carta

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, is a pivotal document in the history of constitutional law and the limitation of monarchy, particularly in England. Its significance lies in its establishment of the principle that the king was not above the law and that he could not levy taxes without the consent of his subjects, specifically through their representatives. This was a revolutionary notion at the time, as it introduced the idea that the monarchy's power was not absolute.

The direct impact of the Magna Carta was to protect barons and, by extension, subjects from arbitrary royal authority, including taxation. By requiring the king to obtain their agreement before imposing taxes, it laid the groundwork for future democratic developments. This principle of no taxation without representation has echoed throughout history, influencing later documents and governments, including the American Declaration of Independence.

Other documents mentioned, such as the Bill of Rights, the English Settlement, and the Petition of Right, while important in their own rights, either came later or addressed different aspects of governance, law, or individual rights rather than specifically the limitation of taxation powers.

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The Petition of Right

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