1. Ancient Greece

2. Homework Questions
1. What is a city-state?
A City-State is a small, isolated nation made up of a city and the surrounding farmland.
2. Why did Greece develop city-states?
They were developed because Greece’s rugged terrain made travelling, transportation, and communication difficult.
3. Describe two forms of government developed in Greek city-states.
Monarchy = government ruled by a king/queen
Aristocracy = government ruled by a small, privileged upper class

3. Homework Questions
4. What is a direct democracy? Does the United States currently have a direct democracy?
Direct democracy = democracy where citizens participate in government directly rather than through elected representatives. The U.S. does not currently have a direct democracy like that in Ancient Athens.
The U.S. is a representative democracry/republic b/c citizens elect leaders to run the government.
5. What is a limited democracy? Does the United States currently have a limited democracy like the one in Ancient Athens?
Limited democracy = a democratic gov. where only some people can participate in government. The US does not have a limited democracy today.
What made Athens a limited democracy?
Only free men born in Athens could take part in gov.
Discussion: Did the U.S. have a limited democracy in the past?
Yes.

7. Create a T-Chart listing the similarities between the Greek and US systems of government. Refer to the reading you did for today and be as specific as possible.
Title: Similarities between Greek and US Government
Greece US

8. Athens (Greece) US Monarchy, initially Aristocracies ruled, early on
Direct democracy developed later
Citizenship to have rights
Equality under the law
Right & Duty to Participate in Government
Limited democracy: slavery, women and foreigners = no political rights
Initially ruled by British Monarchs
Most US Founders were “aristocratic”
Direct democracy in a few settlements Puritans, New England town meetings (Today, though, we are a Republic)
People must take a citizenship test to become a citizen and be able to vote
It is illegal to discriminate against people based on their gender, religion, race, etc.
Duty to Vote, Duty to Serve on a Jury
Limited democracy in the past: slavery, women, and men who owned no property

10. New Definition
Representative Democracy / Republic: a democracy in which citizens elect leaders to make laws and govern

11. Both ancient Greece and the US are democratic systems of government.
Discuss and list the advantages and disadvantages of a democratic system of government.
Pros Cons

12. Democracy: Pros & Cons Pros: Equality under the law
Everyone has right to vote
Majority approve of laws
Civil Liberties (freedom of speech, press, religion, fair trial, etc)
Anyone can run for office
Cons:
Slower to make laws
Harder to make laws (people disagree)
Many disagreements & tensions
Government shutdowns?
Uninformed citizens can vote