Final answer:
The Magna Carta was a document signed in 1215 that limited royal power and established important legal principles like due process and trial by jury, heavily influencing the development of Western legal systems and individual liberties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Magna Carta, also known as the Great Charter, was a seminal document signed by King John of England in 1215. It established a set of legal precedents that limited the power of the monarchy and set forth principles of due process and trial by jury for the nobles. These provisions ensured that a free man could not be penalized unless there was a lawful judgment by his peers, thus planting the seeds for the Western judicial system that champions individual rights and a clear legal framework. Over time, the Magna Carta was recognized as a cornerstone of liberty, influencing the Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and contributing to the social order that made England's GDP per capita one of the highest in Europe in the 14th century.