What is the Magna Carta, and why is it important?

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, is a crucial document in the history of democracy and individual rights because it established the principle that everyone, including the king, is subject to the law. By limiting the powers of the monarch, the Magna Carta laid the groundwork for the development of parliamentary democracy and the protection of personal liberties in England. It introduced concepts such as due process and the right to a fair trial, which have influenced legal systems around the world. Its significance extends beyond its immediate historical context; it has become a symbol of the struggle against tyranny and a foundational text for later democratic ideas.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of the Magna Carta. For instance, it was not a treaty related to World War I, nor was it a law concerning colonial independence or a declaration of human rights in the modern sense. Rather, its focus on limiting monarchical power and ensuring rights for subjects makes it a landmark document in the evolution of governance and civil liberties.