Comparison of Two Documents
Magna Carta 1215
American Declaration of Independence 1776

Principle	The Magna Carta (1215)	American Declaration of Independence (1776)
Balance of Power	The king is the leader of the nation, but his vassals have the right to limit his power if used unfairly, and have the right of representation.	The king had demanded that some of his subjects give up their right of representation , and has said the people have no right to limit his power.
Taxation	The king cannot levy any extra taxes without the common consent of the people.	The king had imposed taxes on colonists without their consent.
Trial by Jury	A jury of his peers will decide the innocence or guilt of a citizen.	The king had refused the benefits of trail by jury for many colonial citizens.
Private Property	The king cannot take what does not belong to him without their owners consent.	The king has "plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people."
Rule of Law	All citizens including the king must obey the law. If the king breaks the law, his vassals can remove him from the throne and seize his worldly goods.	King George III has broken the laws and refused the rights of colonists. The people therefore throw off his government of tyranny as established under the rule of law.