The Greek Roots of Democracy

Democracy Democracy is a form of government where the citizens have governing power. It can be traced back to ancient Greece.

Geography of Greece Mountainous country in Southern Europe along the Mediterranean Sea. Rugged terrain Greeks built small, isolated city-states. City-state: a political unit made up of a city and the surrounding lands.

City-States: Polis (small population and not united) Temples worship polytheistic gods (priests) Acropolis: high city with palace (king) Seat of Government: made of noblemen, landowners and wealthy families Middle class: merchants, farmers, artisians Marketplace Workers, slaves, etc.

Rulers Between 700 and 500 BC there were many changes in rulers. Originally ruled by kings. Bronze Age: Power shifts to wealthy landowners (aristocracy) Served as military defenders of the city: controlled weapons. (Common men could not afford to be soldiers as they could not afford to purchase armor, horses, and chariots).

Technology of War: Iron! Changes in military technology allowed the middle class to gain power. In 650 BC iron weapons replaced expensive bronze, allowing ordinary citizens to purchase armor and become soldiers. When citizens felt leadership was too tyrannical, they could exercise armed resistance. (roots of democracy)

Creates greater equality among the social classes of Ancient Greece. Temple: Polytheistic Gods (Priests) Ruling Aristocracy (wealthy families) Military Citizens: Middle class Slaves Sparta and Athens emerge as dominant city-states.

Sparta Transforms into a military state around 600 BC. Boys left home at the age of 7 and lived in military barracks. They trained to be lifetime soldiers. Very militaristic and disciplined society. Girls encouraged to stay healthy so they could marry and have many babies (future soldiers).

Sparta The government was controlled by two kings (monarchs). advised by a council of elders. Major decisions had to be approved by an assembly. An assembly is a group of citizens. In Sparta the assembly consisted only of native born male Spartans over age 30. Assembly Elders K K

Athens Birthplace of democracy Originally controlled by a monarchy Power shifts to the aristocracy around 700 BC.

Athens Under the aristocracy Athenian wealth and power grew Ordinary citizens discontent resented the power of the nobles. Discontent fueled by debt slavery Citizens who found themselves in debt had to sell off lands to the nobles. Many were forced to sell themselves into slavery to pay off their debts. Aristo Aristo Tyrant Aristo Aristo Aristo Aristo Aristo

Athenian Reformers Solon: 594 BC abolishes debt slavery and expands Athenian assembly. Pisistratus: 546 BC takes control of the city and gives farmers and poor greater voice in government. Cleisthenes: 507 BC establishes council of 500. 500 member legislature All male citizens over 30 eligible Slaves and women still excluded

Athenian Reformers Pericles: Establishes direct democracy In direct democracy each citizen gets an equal say in government; women and slaves still excluded. Athenian assembly expanded to 6,000 Government officials given salary allowing poor men to serve Juries created to make final decisions in court trials. Created civil works projects to improve infrastructure and economy.

Voice in governmental decisions Oversee daily business/govt decisions GODS/PRIEST MONARCH/TYRANT ARISTOCRACY WEALTHY LANDOWNERS “Boule” Council of 500 Made laws Assembly: 6000+ Citizens Voice in governmental decisions Oversee daily business/govt decisions Jury system 1000+ citizens Determine outcomes of legal situations.

Athens Sparta

Philosophers: lovers of wisdom The Peloponnesian War LEGACY OF THE GREEKS Philosophers: lovers of wisdom Men start thinking about Gods, natural law, power and men’s control over each other. Early science (astronomy) Human behavior and relationship to each other (morality and ethics) “Golden Rule” morality Foundations of democracy and various forms of government. Common man took more active role in government and leadership. 431 BC Sparta attacked Athens. Fighting lasts 27 years. 404 BC Sparta captures Athens Instills Military Discipline and overrules Athenian democracy. Early Philosophers Socrates Plato Aristotle Built on each other’s ideas and set the foundation for later Enlightenment ideas.

Alexander the Great 338 BC Greece conquered by neighboring Macedonia ruled by King Philip. Philip’s son, Alexander, inherits throne at age 20, continues to expand the empire. Alexander’s tutor was Aristotle who would teach him ideas of democracy and written law By 327 BC he had conquered an empire stretching over 2,000 miles, earning himself the name Alexander the Great.

Empire of Alexander the Great Macedonia

The End of Alexander’s Empire Hellenistic Age Rule of the Macedonians blend of Greek, Persian, Egyptian, and Indian cultures blended together. (Which theme of geography does this demonstrate?) The End of Alexander’s Empire Alexander dies in 323 BC with no heir Empire divided among three generals and quickly crumbled because of power wars. Allows new empire to emerge: Rome.