What was the significance of the Magna Carta?

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, is significant primarily because it established the principle of limited government. This foundational document was created to address the grievances against King John of England and aimed to curtail the king's absolute power by asserting that everyone, including the monarch, is subject to the law. It introduced the concept that the governed have rights that cannot be arbitrarily taken away by the government, laying the groundwork for the development of constitutional law and influencing future democratic ideas and documents.

The idea of limited government is crucial, as it encourages accountability and the protection of individual liberties against potential government overreach. This concept has had a lasting impact on political systems around the world, especially in the formation of constitutional frameworks, including those in the United States. The Magna Carta can thus be seen as a significant step toward the establishment of modern democratic governance.

Other choices represent concepts that either are not directly related to the Magna Carta or misconstrue historical facts. For instance, the Magna Carta did not grant the right to bear arms nor did it abolish monarchies. Additionally, it was not the first constitution of the United States; that distinction belongs to the U.S. Constitution, which came long after the Magna Carta and was influenced by its principles.