Interdisciplinary Writing Test - DBQ

Did the Magna Carta establish the foundation for democracy in the
modern world?


Oeriew

The purpose of this interdisciplinary writing test is to determine how well you can write to persuade
others to think as you do about a historical issue. In this test, you will examine documents and
artifacts that relate to a historical question. You will take a position and then use the source materials
to support your opinion in a persuasive essay. You must support your position with information from
the source materials.


!bout this Test

In this interdisciplinary writing test, you will think about and take a position on a historical issue: Did
the agna !arta establish the foundation for democracy in the modern world" #hile your are
working on this test, you will use skills and knowledge you learned in your language arts,
mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, and other classes.


The Issue

In $%&', (ritish )arliament voted to approve the *nglish (ill of +ights. ,pproximately one-hundred
years later, the .nited /tates of ,merica ratified its own (ill of +ights in $0'$. #ere these ground
breaking, original democratic documents or were they based upon an earlier example. ,re the
origins of ,merican (ill of +ights found in the minds of the 1ounding 1athers like Thomas 2efferson
and (en3amin 1ranklin or is there another source. +ead the documents to see if the agna !arta
established the foundation for democracy in the modern world.

















Your Tas"


$. +ead and examine the source materials.

(efore taking a position on the issue, it is important that you examine all of the source materials.
,s you examine the source materials, you may underline information, highlight, or write notes in
the margin.


4. )repare to write you essay.

You have been given a T-!hart to list the pro and con arguments to the question. You may use
this chart in any way that you would like. You can use the backside to organi5e you thoughts in
an informal outline. You are not required to complete the chart and form an outline, and they will
not be scored.


6. #rite your persuasive essay.

Did the agna !arta establish the foundation for democracy in the modern world" #rite a
persuasive essay that supports your opinion, but remember its always good to concede something
to the other side. (e sure to use your own knowledge and the information from the source
materials.

#rite your response on the white lined paper provided. 7nly what is written on the white lined
paper will be scored.

Your #core


Your score will be based on the following criteria:

$. $osition 8 Did you take a clear position on the issue"

4. Comprehensieness 8 Did you use information from each of the three sources that are
provided"

6. #upport 8 Did you support your position with accurate and relevant information from the source
materials"

9. Organi%ation 8 Did you organi5e your ideas in a logical and effective manner so that your
audience will understand and follow your thinking"

:. Clarity and &luency 8 Did you express your ideas clearly and fluently using your own words




Document 1

The Magna Carta

In 1215, the barons of England forced King John to sign the Magna Carta. The following excerpt
contains 16 of the original 63 articles.

1. First of all have granted to God, and, for us and for our heirs forever, have confirmed, by this our present
charter, that the English church shall be free and shall have its rights intact and its liberties uninfringed upon

2. If any one of our earls or barons, or of others holding from us in chief through military service, shall die; and
if, at the time of his death, his heir be of full age and owe a relief he shall have his inheritance by paying the
old relief;!!the heir, namely, or the heirs of an earl, by paying one hundred pounds for the whole barony of an
earl; the heir or heirs of a baron, by paying one hundred pounds for the whole barony; the heir or heirs of a
"night, by paying one hundred shillings at most for a whole "night#s fee; and he who shall owe less shall give
less, according to the ancient custom of fees.

$. %either we nor our bailiffs shall sei&e any revenue for any debt, so long as the chattels of the debtor suffice to
pay the debt; nor shall the sponsors of that debtor be distrained so long as the chief debtor has enough to pay the
debt. 'ut if the chief debtor fail in paying the debt, not having the wherewithal to pay it, the sponsors shall
answer for the debt. (nd, if they shall wish, they may have the lands and revenues of the debtor until
satisfaction shall have been given them for the debt previously paid for him

12. %o scutage or aid shall be imposed in our realm )by the *ing+ unless by the common counsel of our realm;
e,cept for redeeming our body, and "nighting our eldest son, and marrying once our eldest daughter. (nd for
these purposes there shall only be given a reasonable aid

2-. ( freeman shall only be amerced for a small offence according to the measure of that offence. (nd for a
great offence he shall be amerced according to the magnitude of the offence, saving his contenement; and a
merchant, in the same way, saving his merchandi&e

2.. %either a town nor a man shall be forced to ma"e bridges over the rivers, with the e,ception of those who,
from of old and of right ought to do it.

2/. %o constable or other bailiff of ours shall ta"e the corn or other chattels of any one e,cept he straightway
give money for them, or can be allowed a respite in that regard by the will of the seller.

.-. %o sheriff nor bailiff of ours, no any one else, shall ta"e the horses or carts of any freeman for transport,
unless by the will of that freeman.

.1. %either we nor our bailiffs shall ta"e another#s wood for castles or for other private uses, unless by the will
of him to whom the wood belongs.

.0. 1here shall be one measure of wine throughout our whole realm, and one measure of ale and one measure of
corn!!namely, the 2ondon 3uart;!!and one width of dyed and resset and hauber" cloths!!namely, two ells below
the selvage. (nd with weights, moreover, it shall be as with measures.

./. %o bailiff, on his own simple assertion, shall henceforth put any one to his law, without producing faithful
witnesses in evidence.

.$. %o freeman shall be ta"en, or imprisoned, or dissei&ed, or outlawed, or e,iled, or in any way harmed!!nor
will we go upon or send upon him!!save by the lawful 4udgment of his peers or by the law of the land.

5-. 1o none will we sell, to none deny or delay, right or 4ustice.

50. 6e will not ma"e men 4ustices, constables, sheriffs, or bailiffs, unless they are such as "now the law of the
realm, and are minded to observe it rightly.

71. Inasmuch as for the sa"e of God, and for the bettering of our realm, and for the more ready healing of the
discord which has arisen between us and our barons may elect at their pleasure twenty five barons from the
realm, who ought, with all their strength, to observe, maintain and cause to be observed, the peace and
privileges which we have granted to them and confirmed by this our present charter

7.. 6herefore we will and firmly decree that the English church shall be free, and that the sub4ects of our realm
shall have and hold all the aforesaid liberties, rights and concessions, duly and in peace, freely and 3uietly, fully
and entirely, for themselves and their heirs, from us and our heirs, in all matters and in all places, forever, as has
been said. 8oreover it has been sworn, on our part as well as on the part of the barons, that all these above
mentioned provisions shall be observed with good faith and without evil intent


Document 2

The English Bill of Rights, 1689
1. 1hat the pretended power of suspending laws, or the e,ecution of laws, by regal authority, without
consent of parliament is illegal.
2. 1hat the pretended power of dispensing with the laws, or the e,ecution of law by regal authority, as it
hath been assumed and e,ercised of late, is illegal.
.. 1hat the commission for erecting the late court of commissioners for ecclesiastical causes, and all other
commissions and courts of li"e nature, are illegal and pernicious.
5. 1hat levying money for or to the use of the crown by pretense of prerogative, without grant of parliament,
for longer time or in other manner than the same is or shall be granted, is illegal.
0. 1hat it is the right of the sub4ects to petition the "ing, and all commitments and prosecutions for such
petitioning are illegal.
7. 1hat the raising or "eeping a standing army within the "ingdom in time of peace, unless it be with consent
of parliament, is against law.
9. 1hat the sub4ects which are :rotestants may have arms for their defense suitable to their conditions, and
as allowed by law.
/. 1hat election of members of parliament ought to be free.
$. 1hat the freedom of speech, and debates or proceedings in parliament, ought not to be impeached or
3uestioned in any court or place out of parliament.
1-. 1hat e,cessive bail ought not to be re3uired, nor e,cessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.
11. 1hat 4urors ought to be duly impaneled and returned, and 4urors which pass upon men in trials for high
treason ought to be freeholders.
12. 1hat all grants and promises of fines and forfeitures of particular persons before conviction are illegal
and void.
1.. (nd that for redress of all grievances, and for the amending, strengthening, and preserving of the laws,
parliament ought to be held fre3uently.































Document 3

The Bill of Rights

In 1791, the first 10 Amendments to the United States Constitution were
ratified. Their purpose was to identify rights of individuals and states not
specified in the Constitution.

Amendment I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances.

Amendment II. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the
right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III. o Soldier shall, in time of peace be !uartered in any house, without the
consent of the "wner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV. #he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects, against unreasonable searches and sei$ures, shall not be violated, and no %arrants shall
issue, but upon probable cause, supported by "ath or affirmation, and particularly describing the
place to be searched, and the persons or things to be sei$ed.

Amendment V. o person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime,
unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand &ury, except in cases arising in the land or
naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of %ar or public danger; nor shall
any person be sub'ect for the same offence to be twice put in 'eopardy of life or limb; nor shall be
compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or
property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without
'ust compensation.

Amendment VI. (n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall en'oy the right to a speedy and
public trial, by an impartial 'ury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been
committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of
the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel
for his defence.

Amendment VII. (n Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty
dollars, the right of trial by 'ury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a 'ury, shall be otherwise
re)examined in any Court of the *nited States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII. +xcessive bail shall not be re!uired, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX.
#he enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or
disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X. #he powers not delegated to the *nited States by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.


































Did the Magna Carta establish the foundation for democracy in the
modern world?

Pro Con