The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was a landmark document that established the principle of rule of law in England. It was a response to King John's heavy taxation and arbitrary rule, serving to protect the rights of the nobility while laying the foundation for individual liberties. The Magna Carta limited the powers of the monarch and instituted legal protections against unlawful imprisonment, ensuring that free men would have access to a fair trial. Its principles influenced subsequent democratic documents worldwide, notably the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.