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