1. Democracy (People’s Power)
What is it?
Where did it begin?
How did it developed?
Who was involved?
Why is it important?

2. What is Government? Government: a system for controlling society
Throughout history people have recognized the need for a system to organize society
For much of history, people lived under the rule of kings or rulers with absolute power
Opposite of democracy
First democracies=GREECE & ROME

3. Changing Governments
Greek city-states tried various forms of government
monarchy: one person (king/monarch) rules govt
aristocracy: govt ruled by small group of noble, land-owning families
oligarchy: govt ruled by a few, powerful people (wealthy merchants, nobility, etc.)
democracy: rule of the people
“Demos” = people
“Kratos” = power
                   
                      

4. Athenian Democracy Athens becomes largest & most powerful city-state
Citizens = adult males
Citizens participate in decision making
Economic problems & debt (600 B.C.)
Poor farmers pledge their crops, land, then themselves (indentured servants/slaves) to wealthy landowners

5. 1 of the 7 Wise Men of Greece
Solon (638 B.C.-558 B.C.)
Outlawed indentured slavery & cancelled farmers’ debts.
Established 4 classes of citizenship based on wealth, not heredity (born into)
more rights & opportunities
only top 3 classes were eligible to hold office but citizens could vote
Created Council of 400 & these reforms:
increased participation in government
made laws more fair
created beneficial economic reforms (trade)
Citizens = all free adult males.
only 1/10 of population were citizens
women, slaves (1/3 of population), & foreigners were excluded
1 of the 7 Wise Men of Greece

6. Cleisthenes (570 B.C.-507 B.C.)
Expanded the Council of 400 to 500 members
chosen randomly
Broke up the power of the nobility
poor citizens had more involvement
Tried to balance rich & poor
Citizens were allowed to submit laws to gov’t
Only 1/5 of population were citizens

7. Pericles (495 B.C. – 429 B.C.)
Greeks fight Persian invaders trying to conquer Greece ( )
Democracy survives
Pericles
paid jurors & increased the number of paid public officials
this allowed poor citizens to participate in government
DIRECT DEMOCRACY= citizens rule directly & make laws (no representatives)
he was very proud of Athens democracy
                              

8. Why Remember Greek Democracy?
Believed citizens should have a say in gov’t
Voting
public debate
making laws
serving on juries
holding office
DIRECT DEMOCRACY!!!
The Greeks had established a direct democracy and three branches of government:
legislative to make laws
executive to carry out laws
judicial to interpret laws in dispute

9. Democracy Crumbles Civil war breaks out in Greece
Athens vs. Sparta (Peloponnesian War), then Macedonia conquers
Alexander the Great
Democracy does not die
3 incredible Greek philosophers continue democratic ideas
used LOGIC & REASON to investigate the nature of the universe, human society, and morality

10. Socrates (469 B.C. –399 B.C.) QUESTION your beliefs (analyze)
Why do you believe what you believe?
Socratic Method
question-and-answer approach to understand beliefs & learn
went against superstition and illogical beliefs
The universe was created and operates in an orderly way, not based on the whims of gods
question everything including authority!!!!!
Charged with treason to the gods & executed (hemlock)

11. Plato (428 B.C.-348 B.C.) Socrates’ student, wrote The Republic
Main ideas:
PHILOSOPHER KING, the wisest person, should rule (not the richest or strongest)
He didn’t think average people were capable of governing
Thought a ruler became a danger to the people when the ruler has too much freedom
Creates the Academy
lasts nearly 900 years
Elite, not open to public

12. Aristotle (384 B.C. – 322 B.C.) Plato’s student Middle Class!!!
Politics
people are political by nature
they must live in a state with a structured government
Main ideas
leaders act selfishly and against the best interest of the people
The government must follow the law!!!
Started the Lyceum
School to encourage thorough study in many fields
Mostly free & open to public

13. Democracy moves west to Rome

14. Roman Democracy
Rome ruled by kings, overthrown 509 B.C., establish a republic
Republic =
indirect democracy = representative government !!!!!
citizens elect representatives/leaders to make government decisions
Most modern democracies are indirect
Citizens = free-born adult males only
Just like Greece, women & slaves not allowed to vote

15. Who had the Power? Two classes
patricians = aristocrats (landowners), inherited power
plebeians = working class (farmers, merchants, artisans)
Citizens who had the right to vote, banned from most powerful govt positions
fought over their power in government, gained more power
2 branches of govt
executive -2 consuls
legislative – the SENATE (patricians)
In time of crisis, dictator allowed 6-month term

17. Roman Written Law
When laws were not written down, patricians often “interpreted” laws in whatever ways suited them
Plebians demanded that laws be written down
Importance: all free citizens had the right to protection of law & LAWS APPLY EQUALLY TO EVERYONE

18. Fundamental Roman Laws
Laws apply equally to all citizens
A person is considered innocent until proven guilty
The burden of proof rests with the accuser
A person is punished only for actions, not for thoughts
Unreasonable or unfair laws can be set aside
Does any of this sound familiar?

19. Why remember the Roman Republic?
Laws apply equally to everyone
Written law
Republic=representative democracy=
indirect democracy