rise of democratic ideas (ancient greece and rome) prologue section 1
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Rise of Democratic Ideas(Ancient Greece and Rome)
Prologue Section 1
What was Plato’s political philosophy for ancient Greece?
• Society best served if “philosopher kings” control power
• Government should be controlled by upper class
• Only best-educated, most intelligent should participate in government
What was Aristotle’s political philosophy for ancient Greece?
• Society best served if middle class controls power
• Government must follow a set of laws to maintain stability (“government by laws, not men”)
• Both rich & poor should participate in the government
How did the first democracy develop in ancient Greece?
• Each city-state had their own government (Athens)
• The Assembly became the major political institution (made laws)
• Pericles increased number of paid officials (poor citizens could serve)
• All citizens required to take part in government (direct democracy)
How did democracy develop in the Roman Empire?
• The Twelve Tables became basis for all future law (Justinian’s Code)
• They created executive & legislative branches of government
• Public officials (representatives) were elected to office to serve (Republic)
• Citizens were required to pay taxes & serve in military (in exchange for social order)
Rise of Democratic Ideas(Judeo-Christian Tradition)
Prologue Section 2
How did Judaism contribute to the rise of democracy?
• Hebrews (Jews) believed in one god
• In 1200 BCE, God gave Moses a written code of laws (The Ten Commandments)
• The laws focused on morality & ethics, not politics
• Hebrews strongly believed the community should help the less fortunate
How did Christianity become the official religion of the Roman Empire?
• Jesus preached love for God & Jewish tradition (Ten Commandments)
• When his teachings threatened Jewish priests & the Romans, they had him killed
• His followers spread his message (Christianity) throughout the Roman Empire
• It became the official religion of the Roman Empire (by 380 CE)
What are some of the early ancient influences on democracy?
• Greece practiced direct democracy (all citizens vote directly on issues)
• Romans practiced representative democracy or republic (people elect representatives)
• Judeo-Christians believed in individual worth, equality for all, & concern for community
How did the Renaissance and Reformation contribute democracy?
• During the Renaissance, thinkers became concerned about earthly life (secular)
• They also focused on the importance of the individual
• People began to challenge the authority of absolute monarchs & the Catholic Church
• The Reformation (Luther) criticized Church practices & led to Protestant movement
Rise of Democratic Ideas(Democracy in England)
Prologue Section 3
How did the nobles limit the power of England’s monarchy?
• King was forced to sign the Magna Carta, limiting his power
• He had to govern according to law (ex.: due process of law)
• Kings used members of the nobility as their council of advisers
• King Edward I established the Model Parliament (taxes, laws)
What is Common Law?
How did Parliament gain power over the monarchy?
• Parliament used “power of the purse” to gain influence over the king
• King Charles I accepted Petition of Right to get funds (dismissed Parliament)
• 1642- English Civil War saw anti-royalists (Parliament) defeat Royalists (monarchy)
• Cromwell became military dictator, had Charles I executed
What led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy?
• 1660- Parliament invited son of Charles I to take the throne (Restoration)
• Charles II died & his brother James II (Roman Catholic) became king
• 1689- Glorious Revolution left William & Mary as constitutional monarchs
• Parliament established English Bill of Rights (limited monarchy’s power)
What did the English Bill of Rights guarantee?
What influences led to the rise of modern democracy?
• Judeo-Christian tradition stressed individual worth, equality of all, & community concern
• England established common law, Bill of Rights, & due process of law
• Renaissance & Reformation contributed natural laws, challenged church authority
• Enlightenment added social contract, natural rights, & separation of powers
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