1. Foundations of Democracy

5. What is Democracy? Rule by the people Demos = many
Examples are the USA & Canada
A democracy is different from a monarchy or autocracy (rule by one like a king or queen)

6. Ancient Greece The First to Develop a Democracy
The Greeks first created Democracy
Greek democratic ideas are still used today:
▪ Voting rights
▪ Juries
▪ Fair set of laws
▪ Ending of slavery

7. The Greek Philosophers
Philosopher = “lovers of wisdom”
Inspired the spread of democracy
Great thinkers like Aristotle, Socrates and Plato emerged at this time.
They were focused on understanding the universe, human society and morality (right from wrong).

8. Socrates
Plato
Aristotle

9. Ancient Rome
As the Greek civilization was declining, the Romans were becoming more powerful.
The Romans created a type of democracy known as a Republic
Republic= representative democracy like the US; we vote for people who do the government work for us!

10. More Roman Contributions to Democracy…
Justice for all people and property
All citizens were equal under the law
Innocent until proven guilty
Written laws
Can you name one country that follows these traditions today?
Answer: USA!

13. How did Religion Influence the Development of Democracy?
2 major world religions influenced democracy: Christianity & Judaism
Humans were created in God’s image.
Humans have freedom of choice
Written law: The 10 commandments
Fight injustice
All people are created equal (a central belief to democracy)

17. Renaissance

18. Renaissance A cultural movement that began in the 14th century
Ren. artists included da Vinci and Michelangelo
Renaissance means “rebirth” – artists and writers were “rebirthing” ideas from ancient Greece and Rome
The Renaissance focused on the importance of the individual
This idea would influence future democracy-based revolutions like the American Rev. and French Rev.

20. Reformation

23. The Catholic Church was full of corruption and needed reform
Example: Priests were doing things they shouldn’t, like having kids
Martin Luther, a German monk, was fed up with the church and wrote down his complaints in 1517
Called the 95 Theses
Foundation for the Protestant Church because Luther “protested” against the Catholic Church
Reformation

24. Protestantism added to the growth of democracy by challenging the authority of the Pope and stressing the importance of the individual.