Explain two ways in which Magna Carta and the Great Reform Act were similar. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2022 - Paper 1

Landmark Political Documents: Both the Magna Carta and the Great Reform Act were significant milestones in the development of British democracy. The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, limited the power of the monarchy by establishing that the king could not act without the consent of his barons. Similarly, the Great Reform Act of 1832 aimed to address the under-representation of the growing industrial middle class by redistributing parliamentary seats and extending the vote to more citizens, thus reducing the unchecked power of the existing ruling elite.

Response to Pressure: Both documents arose from a backdrop of significant pressure and conflict. The Magna Carta emerged from a rebellion led by the barons against King John, who imposed heavy taxes and ruled arbitrarily. In the case of the Great Reform Act, there was a push from the industrialists and reformers who protested against the injustices of the electoral system, which led to riots and demands for reform. In both instances, the ruling powers responded to the external pressures from their subjects, marking critical moments where public discontent forced legislative changes.