Which document guaranteed legal process before taking a person's liberty?

The Magna Carta is the correct answer because it was a pivotal document in establishing the principle of due process, which ensures that individuals cannot be deprived of their liberty without legal proceedings. Signed in 1215, the Magna Carta laid the groundwork for modern legal systems by asserting that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law. Key provisions of the Magna Carta, particularly those concerning legal processes, emphasize that lawful judgment must be obtained before an individual's liberty can be taken away. This concept of due process has had a profound influence on legal systems worldwide and resonates throughout later documents in Western legal tradition, including the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

While the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights further expanded on the rights of individuals and due process, it was the Magna Carta that first introduced these essential legal protections. The Articles of Confederation, on the other hand, primarily focused on the structure of the government and did not address individual legal rights in a significant way. Thus, the Magna Carta stands out as the foundational document specifically guaranteeing legal process related to personal liberty.