From the Greeks to the U.S

• Democracy is a combination of 2 Greek words: Democracy is a combination of 2 Greek words: Demos – meaning “the people”, and Kratein – Demos – meaning “the people”, and Kratein – meaning “to rule”meaning “to rule”

• Do the 2 Greek words define democracy? Why or Do the 2 Greek words define democracy? Why or why not?why not?

Democracy began in the Greek city-state of Athens in the 6Democracy began in the Greek city-state of Athens in the 6thth century B.C. Greece is located in the Aegean and Mediterranean century B.C. Greece is located in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.Seas.

Athens became a major power in the Athens became a major power in the ancient world. How might their geography ancient world. How might their geography have aided in their rise to power?have aided in their rise to power?

Athens practiced a form of democracy known as direct Athens practiced a form of democracy known as direct democracy. This model gives each “citizen” the right to democracy. This model gives each “citizen” the right to vote on all political issues. Non-citizens (slaves/women) vote on all political issues. Non-citizens (slaves/women) were not allowed to participate.were not allowed to participate.

Was Athens a “true democracy”? Give an example of Was Athens a “true democracy”? Give an example of how it was. Give an example of how it was not.how it was. Give an example of how it was not.

The Roman civilization also began on the Mediterranean The Roman civilization also began on the Mediterranean Sea in what is today the country of Italy. The Roman Sea in what is today the country of Italy. The Roman model of democracy was called a republic. In a republic, model of democracy was called a republic. In a republic, people called representatives are chosen by vote to handle people called representatives are chosen by vote to handle political issues for the entire populationpolitical issues for the entire population..

How does the Athenian form of democracy differ from How does the Athenian form of democracy differ from the Roman model?the Roman model?

• The early Roman Republic had three branches of The early Roman Republic had three branches of government. The 1government. The 1stst branch was the office of consul, branch was the office of consul, the head of the government. The second branch the head of the government. The second branch was the 300 member Senate. The final group was was the 300 member Senate. The final group was the assemblies which developed Roman laws. Only the assemblies which developed Roman laws. Only the wealthy could serve in office, while citizens the wealthy could serve in office, while citizens (excluding women and slaves) voted for the (excluding women and slaves) voted for the representatives.representatives.

• In what way(s)In what way(s) doesdoes the Roman model betray the Roman model betray democratic principles?democratic principles?

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe slipped into the Middle Ages. During this time, democracy vanished with the rise of absolute monarchies where a king held unlimited power. All political, social, religious, and economic decisions were made by the king.

What are possible advantages and disadvantages of an absolute monarch?

• Kings and their lords and knights ruled all of the land in the country. Only titled, landowning men were given freedoms and privileges such as freedom of movement, and pastimes such as hunting or fishing. Fox hunts and hawk hunts became the sport of kings.

• Why were peasants unable to hunt?

As Europe came out of the period of absolute As Europe came out of the period of absolute monarchs, democratic ideals began to creep monarchs, democratic ideals began to creep back into the consciousness of the people. back into the consciousness of the people. Ideas such as freedom of speech, separation Ideas such as freedom of speech, separation of powers, and a government subordinate in of powers, and a government subordinate in power to the people became popular.power to the people became popular.

How did these new ideas support the old How did these new ideas support the old democratic ideals?democratic ideals?

The new democratic freedoms made their way to The new democratic freedoms made their way to the “New World” and formed the basis of United the “New World” and formed the basis of United States Constitution. The U.S. model of States Constitution. The U.S. model of democracy combined the Greek idea of the rights democracy combined the Greek idea of the rights of all citizens with the Roman idea of a republic. of all citizens with the Roman idea of a republic. The land ownership of Medieval Europe also faded The land ownership of Medieval Europe also faded in the U.S. as the pastimes such as fishing and in the U.S. as the pastimes such as fishing and hunting were allowed for all.hunting were allowed for all.

How are the U.S. and Rome alike? How are How are the U.S. and Rome alike? How are the U.S. and Europe in the Middle Ages the U.S. and Europe in the Middle Ages different?different?

PowerPoint 1 Development of Democracy Summary PowerPoint 1 Development of Democracy Summary Discussion Discussion

1.1. Where did democracy originate? How was it different Where did democracy originate? How was it different than U.S. democracythan U.S. democracy

2.2. What geographic advantage did Greece enjoy for the What geographic advantage did Greece enjoy for the spread of ideas like democracy?  spread of ideas like democracy?  

3.3. Since slaves and women could not vote, was Athens Since slaves and women could not vote, was Athens trulytruly a democracy? a democracy?

4.4. How was the Roman structure of government similar to How was the Roman structure of government similar to that of the U.S.? that of the U.S.?

5.5. What is an absolute monarchy? How is this different What is an absolute monarchy? How is this different from a democracy?  from a democracy?  

6.6. What was required in order to hunt in absolute What was required in order to hunt in absolute monarchies? monarchies?

  

AnswersAnswers

1.1. Where did democracy originate? How was it different than U.S. Where did democracy originate? How was it different than U.S. democracy? Athens, Greece / It was a direct democracy (all citizens voted democracy? Athens, Greece / It was a direct democracy (all citizens voted on all issueson all issues

2.2. What geographic advantage did Greece enjoy for the spread of ideas like What geographic advantage did Greece enjoy for the spread of ideas like democracy? It was on the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas which made democracy? It was on the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas which made travel and the spread of ideas easier and faster.travel and the spread of ideas easier and faster.

3.3. Since slaves and women could not vote, was Athens Since slaves and women could not vote, was Athens trulytruly a democracy? a democracy? Yes – all citizens voted making it a true democracy No- more than 50% of Yes – all citizens voted making it a true democracy No- more than 50% of the population could not vote.the population could not vote.

4.4. How was the Roman structure of government similar to that of the U.S.? How was the Roman structure of government similar to that of the U.S.? Both had 3 branches of gov.Both had 3 branches of gov.

5.5. What is an absolute monarchy? How is this different from a democracy? What is an absolute monarchy? How is this different from a democracy? An absolute monarchy is a form of gov. in which the king exercises power An absolute monarchy is a form of gov. in which the king exercises power over all aspects of the gov., religion, and social systems / The people hold over all aspects of the gov., religion, and social systems / The people hold almost no power which is the opposite of a democracyalmost no power which is the opposite of a democracy

6.6. What was required in order to hunt in absolute monarchies? Land and, or What was required in order to hunt in absolute monarchies? Land and, or titletitle