What is the significance of the Magna Carta?

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, is significant primarily because it limited the powers of the king and established legal rights for individuals. This foundational document was a response to King John's arbitrary rule and heavy taxation, reflecting the barons’ desire for a more just legal system. By imposing restrictions on the king’s authority, the Magna Carta laid the groundwork for the development of constitutional law and the principle that everyone, including the monarch, is subject to the law. It also introduced mechanisms for legal recourse, such as the right to a fair trial, thus advancing the protection of individual rights against the unchecked power of the ruler. This legacy influenced many future political documents and legal systems, particularly in the establishment of parliamentary democracy in England and later, the United States.

The focus of the other options does not accurately capture the essence of the Magna Carta’s impact. While it did not create a democratic government or end feudalism entirely, it paved the way for more representative forms of government by asserting the importance of legal rights. Additionally, it did not address women's suffrage, as the rights granted by the Magna Carta were primarily aimed at the barons and the feudal class of the time.