Historic Documents: Magna Carta
These web resources are about the Magna Carta. Here you can read about its historical context, its relationship to the United States Consitution, or view primary source documents. Includes two eThemes resources on the U. S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Grades
- 10
Links
-
Magna Carta: Cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution
In this lesson plan, students can examine the legacy of the Magna Carta and how its principles are expressed in the U. S. Constitution.
-
In Defense of Liberty
Students can discover how the American colonists used the Magna Carta to justify the American Revolution with this lesson.
-
Magna Carta 1215
Here is the full text of the Magna Carta, with a glossary and index.
-
The Magna Carta
Here is an article about the history of the 1297 Magna Carta, including a translation, a link to further reading, and a high resolution image of original document.
-
BBC: King John and the Magna Carta
Here is a five-part article about King John and the events leading up to the signing of the Magna Carta. Includes a bibliography.
-
BBC: King John and Richard I
This ten-part article contains a biography of King John and his brother Richard I and provides historical context for the Magna Carta.
-
BBC: Historic FIgures: Kind John
Here is a short article about King John, his ascendancy, and death. Includes a portrait.
-
British Library
On this site you can view one of the British Library's copies of the Magna Carta, learn facts about the document, and read a translation.
-
British National Archives
Click on "Middle Ages" to read about the Magna Carta and view a high resolution image of the 1225 final version.
-
eThemes Resource: Historic Documents: U.S. Constitution
These sites cover the history of the Constitution of the United States. Includes information about the Constitution's signers and the Articles of Confederation, a document that some consider the original constitution. Classroom activity ideas are included. There are links to eThemes Resources on the branches of government and the Bill of Rights.
-
eThemes Resource: Historic Documents: Bill of Rights
These sites are about the Bill of Rights, which are the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. View the actual document and read each amendment. Includes ideas for classroom activities about the amendments and what they mean to Americans. A link to an eThemes Resource on the U.S. Constitution is included.
Education Standards
- AR
- AL
- NV
