Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

Which historical document first asserted that a ruler's power has limits?

1. Bill of Rights

2. Declaration of Independence

3. Magna Carta

4. Constitution

The correct answer is: Magna Carta

The historical document that first asserted that a ruler's power has limits is the Magna Carta. Signed in 1215, the Magna Carta was a groundbreaking charter that limited the powers of King John of England. It established the principle that the monarchy was not absolute and that the king was subject to the law. This document laid the foundation for constitutional governance and the idea of protecting individual rights against governmental overreach, influencing many democratic principles in the future. While the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, and Constitution are all significant in the context of rights and governance, they emerged later and built upon the principles established by the Magna Carta. The Bill of Rights specifically guarantees certain freedoms and rights to individuals, the Declaration of Independence articulates the colonies’ reasons for separating from British rule, and the Constitution provides the framework of the U.S. government but does not originate the idea of limiting a ruler’s power as the Magna Carta does.