The Rise of Democracy

Democratic Ideas Arose in Ancient World What were the first governments like? Autocracy / Monarchy --Rule by one Aristocracy / Oligarchy --Rule by an elite group

3. River Valley Civilizations - first govt 3. River Valley Civilizations - first govt.’s appeared in China, India, Egypt, and Mesopotamia 5,000 years ago. - all dominated by 1 ruler -main obligation of ruler was to provide security

a. India c. Egypt b. China --Emperor was ruler & father-like figure --Mandate from Heaven- chosen by god but if ruler becomes corrupt he could lose mandate and fall from power c. Egypt --Pharaoh ruled --viewed as a god

d. Mesopotamia i. Hammurabi- first to write down a code of law in 1750 B.C. --helps settle disputes --inscribed on stone columns --eye for an eye justice READ: “The Code of Hammurabi” and answer questions.

a. established written law in which even rulers could be accountable B. What influence did Judaism and Christianity have on the emergence of democratic ideas? 1. Ten Commandments (Given to Moses in1250 B.C. & written down in 500 B.C.) a. established written law in which even rulers could be accountable

b. established a moral code for society c. emphasized equality, dignity, and worth of every person C. Democracy Developed in Athens, Greece (508 B.C.)

1. Social Classes in Ancient Greece a. aristocrats b. merchants c. farmers d. workers who did not own property e. slaves

2. What was the process and who helped to create a direct democracy? --direct democracy- all citizens meet in one place to make the laws for their state a. Monarchy -> Oligarchy-> Tyrants-> Direct Dem. b. Reformers– Solon, Peisistratus, Cleisthenes, and Pericles

i. Solon - poet and wise statesman - outlaws slavery based on debt - cancelled farmers’ debts - govt. positions now based on wealth instead of birth - any citizen can bring charges against wrongdoers ii. Peisistratus - benevolent tyrant - weakened aristocracy by reducing taxes, allowing for free loans, and redistributing land among the poor - his son, Hippias took over, but was too harsh

- overthrew Hippias, but was banished from Athens by Isagoras iii. Cleisthenes - overthrew Hippias, but was banished from Athens by Isagoras - common people rose up in revolution & recalled Cleisthenes to build a gov’t - 508 B.C. introduced reforms - all citizens given membership in Assembly - created Council of 500 --viewed as Founder of Democracy in Athens

- first actor turned politician iv. Pericles - first actor turned politician - convinced Assembly to pay public officials and jurors - allowed poor as well as rich citizens to participate in government and on juries - had Parthenon built honoring Athena - Democracy reaches it’s greatest heights under his rule, but also begins a slide toward destruction under his leadership - He starts a war with…….

--War w/ Sparta = Humiliating Loss --Athens greatly weakened = Alexander the Great conquers Athens in 322 B.C.

-must be male, 18+, born to an Athenian mom and dad 3. Greek Concept of a Citizen a. Qualifications -must be male, 18+, born to an Athenian mom and dad b. Capable and rational - believed all citizens could participate intelligently in affairs of the state

C. Obligation to participate in politics - all citizens expected to participate - met at Acropolis roughly 40 times a year - out 250,000 people living in Athens there were full 40,000 citizens of which 5,000 typically showed at the Assembly meetings

4. Democratic Inventions a. Assembly Democracy b. Citizen Juries --Chosen by lottery --Paid for service --1 day trials --No lawyers --Trial by jury remains one of the most powerful symbols of democracy today

- reverse election of politician c. Appointment of citizens to political office and jury by lot d. Citizen Soldiers -voted on whether they go to war or not e. Ostracism - reverse election of politician - intended to prevent the rise of dictators

--only 20% of Athenians could become citizens 5. Limitations of Athenian Democracy? --only 20% of Athenians could become citizens --Women, slaves, and foreigners denied citizenship --Slaves made democracy work 6. Why are there no direct democracies today? What makes Athenian democracy different from other govt.’s of the time? --Read “Funeral Oration” by Pericles and find out!