The Foundations of The Foundations of DemocracyDemocracy

1.1. The people of Ancient Greece The people of Ancient Greece were the first to develop were the first to develop democracy.democracy.

2.2. Democracy = The rule of the Democracy = The rule of the peoplepeople

3.3. The word “democracy” comes The word “democracy” comes from the Greek language:from the Greek language:

A.A. Demos = “people”Demos = “people”

B.B. Kratos = “rule” or “authority”Kratos = “rule” or “authority”

The Power of the CitizenThe Power of the Citizen

1.1. Greek civilization began as many small Greek civilization began as many small isolated cities that governed isolated cities that governed themselves. These became known as themselves. These became known as city-states.city-states.

2.2. The most powerful city-state was The most powerful city-state was Athens.Athens.

3.3. Each year Athenian citizens elected Each year Athenian citizens elected three nobles (rich dudes) to rule the three nobles (rich dudes) to rule the city.city.

4.4. The fact that citizens were able to elect The fact that citizens were able to elect leaders was a big deal because, at the leaders was a big deal because, at the time, most people were ruled by a time, most people were ruled by a leader who had total power.leader who had total power.

The Reforms of SolonThe Reforms of Solon1.1. Many Greek farmers were falling Many Greek farmers were falling

into slavery because they could not into slavery because they could not pay their debts.pay their debts.

2.2. A leader by the name of Solon A leader by the name of Solon outlawed any slavery that was based outlawed any slavery that was based on debt.on debt.

3.3. He also organized society into four He also organized society into four classes of citizens. These classes classes of citizens. These classes were based on wealth, not on blood were based on wealth, not on blood lines. lines.

4.4. Of these four classes, only the top Of these four classes, only the top three could hold public office. But three could hold public office. But all four classes could vote.all four classes could vote.

The Reforms of SolonThe Reforms of Solon

5.5. Citizens only made up 10% of Citizens only made up 10% of the Greek population. So only the Greek population. So only one out of every ten people had one out of every ten people had the right to participate in the right to participate in government.government.

6.6. Among those who were not Among those who were not citizens were women, slaves, citizens were women, slaves, and foreign residents.and foreign residents.

The Reforms of The Reforms of CleisthenesCleisthenes1.1. 84 years after Solon came to 84 years after Solon came to

power, a man by the name of power, a man by the name of Cleisthenes ruled Athens.Cleisthenes ruled Athens.

2.2. He took power away from the rich He took power away from the rich nobles and gave it to all citizens.nobles and gave it to all citizens.

3.3. He allowed all citizens to submit He allowed all citizens to submit laws for debate and passage.laws for debate and passage.

4.4. He also created a new council He also created a new council where members were chosen by lot.where members were chosen by lot.

5.5. Because of these reforms, he is Because of these reforms, he is generally considered the founder generally considered the founder of democracy in Athens.of democracy in Athens.

CLEISTHENESCLEISTHENES

The Rule of PericlesThe Rule of Pericles1.1. Pericles was perhaps Ancient Pericles was perhaps Ancient

Greece’s greatest ruler. He ruled Greece’s greatest ruler. He ruled for 32 years, during a time known for 32 years, during a time known as the Golden Age of Greeceas the Golden Age of Greece

2.2. Pericles reformed democracy by Pericles reformed democracy by allowing poorer citizens to allowing poorer citizens to participate in government. He did participate in government. He did this by:this by:

A.A. Increasing the number of paid Increasing the number of paid public officialspublic officials

B.B. Paying jurorsPaying jurors

The Rule of PericlesThe Rule of Pericles

3.3. Under the rule of Pericles, Under the rule of Pericles, Athens became a “direct Athens became a “direct democracy.” This is a form of democracy.” This is a form of government in which the government in which the citizens rule directly, not citizens rule directly, not through representatives.through representatives.

Pericles Funeral Oration

"Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are

rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves. Our administration favors the many instead of the few; this is why it is

called a democracy.

But while there exists equal justice to all and alike in their private disputes,

the claim of excellence is also recognized; and when a citizen is in any way distinguished, he is preferred to the

public service, not as a matter of privilege, but as the reward of merit.

Nor again does poverty bar the way, if a man is able to serve the state, he is not

hindered by the obscurity of his condition”

The Greek PhilosophersThe Greek Philosophers1.1. The Greeks were unique because they The Greeks were unique because they

used logic and reason, rather than used logic and reason, rather than myth, to investigate the different myth, to investigate the different aspects of life.aspects of life.

2.2. In Ancient Greece, many great thinkers In Ancient Greece, many great thinkers emerged. These people were known as emerged. These people were known as philosophers, or “lovers of wisdom.”philosophers, or “lovers of wisdom.”

3.3. These philosophers had two These philosophers had two assumptions:assumptions:

A.A. The universe is put together in an orderly The universe is put together in an orderly way and is subject to natural and way and is subject to natural and unchanging laws.unchanging laws.

B.B. People can understand these laws through People can understand these laws through logic and reason.logic and reason.

The Greek PhilosophersThe Greek Philosophers4.4. The first great Greek philosopher was The first great Greek philosopher was

Socrates.Socrates.5.5. Socrates created a way of teaching by Socrates created a way of teaching by

asking questions. This way of asking questions. This way of teaching became known as the teaching became known as the Socratic Method. This method of Socratic Method. This method of teaching is still widely used todayteaching is still widely used today

6.6. Socrates’ greatest student was Plato. Socrates’ greatest student was Plato. Plato wrote a famous book called Plato wrote a famous book called “Republic.” In this book Plato stated “Republic.” In this book Plato stated that a society should not be governed that a society should not be governed by the rich and powerful, but the wise. by the rich and powerful, but the wise. He called these rulers “philosopher- He called these rulers “philosopher-kings.”kings.”

The Greek PhilosophersThe Greek Philosophers7.7. Plato’s greatest student was named Plato’s greatest student was named

Aristotle. Aristotle.

8.8. Aristotle’s most famous book was Aristotle’s most famous book was called “Politics.” called “Politics.”

9.9. Aristotle also created syllogisms, which Aristotle also created syllogisms, which are three logically related statements are three logically related statements that helped prove something true.that helped prove something true.

a)a) Here is an example of a syllogism Here is an example of a syllogism

All men are mortal. All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Socrates is a man. Socrates is mortal. Socrates is mortal.

The Legacy of Ancient The Legacy of Ancient GreeceGreece1.1. The Greeks came up with natural laws, The Greeks came up with natural laws,

which are predictable patterns that are which are predictable patterns that are discovered through intelligence and discovered through intelligence and reason.reason.

2.2. The Greeks were the first to develop a The Greeks were the first to develop a direct democracy.direct democracy.

3.3. The Greeks were the first to come up The Greeks were the first to come up with the three branches of with the three branches of government, also known as the government, also known as the “separation of powers.”“separation of powers.”

A.A. Legislative branch to pass lawsLegislative branch to pass lawsB.B. Executive branch to carry out lawsExecutive branch to carry out lawsC.C. Judicial branch to settle disputes about Judicial branch to settle disputes about

laws laws

SourcesSources

• Beck, Roger, et al. Beck, Roger, et al. Modern World Modern World History: Patterns of InteractionHistory: Patterns of Interaction. . Evanston, IL: McDougal-Littell Inc., Evanston, IL: McDougal-Littell Inc., 2003.2003.

• Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.Corporation. All rights reserved.