27 January 2017 EQ How did Greece

27 January 2017 EQ – How did Greece go from a monarchy to a democracy? • Bellringer – Check atlas work from yesterday • Power. Point Notes on Government in Athens • Packet page 5 & 6 • HW : Read Chapter 8. 2 – add to study guide • Study guide due Thursday

Government in Athens Chapter 8. 2

Birthplace of Democracy • Greece is the birthplace of Democracy, a type of government in which people rule themselves • The word democracy comes form Greek words meaning “rule of the people”

Rise of the Aristocrats • In early Greece, kings ruled the city-state. (Monarchy) • Later, a group of rich landowners, or aristocrats took power • A government in which only a small group of people have power is called an oligarchy

Rise of the Aristocrats • With the aristocrats controlling $ and now the government, the common people had little say in the government. • In the 600 s BC, a group of rebels tried to overthrow the aristocrats, but it didn’t work

Wreck it buy a new one…. or…A man who would carry a Legalist Stick! • Since the rebellion failed a man named Draco created a new set of harsh laws for Athens • These laws were very harsh. Punishing minor crimes like loitering punishable by death.

Draco…. out (Oligarchy still in) • Draco’s laws were believed to be too harsh so a man named Solon created less harsh laws. • Under Solon’s laws, all free men living in Athens became citizens: people who had the right to participate in government

Rise of Tyrants • In 546 a noble named Peisistratus “overthrew” the oligarchy • Peisistratus became the leader of Athens and was called a tyrant. • A tyrant is, a leader who held power through the use of force According to Herodotus, Peisistratus came by chariot with “Athena” by his side – declaring he had her blessing (and protection) to rule Athens.

Tyrant what, tyrant who? • Today the word tyrant is harsh but in ancient Greece the word had a very different meaning • Tyrants in Athenian government were usually good leaders with strong armies and support from the people. • Peisistratus brought peace and prosperity to the city Peisistratus starting new policies to unify the city, building temples and monuments. • Reduced taxes • Introduced concept of free loans to farmers • Creates the path for Athens to dominate Greece

Sippin’ Haterade • After Peisistratus died (c. 527 BC), his son, Hippias, took over as tyrant – no one was Hippias happy! • Continues father’s benevolent rule…. for a while…until c. 514 BC – when brother is killed • This makes him unhappy & everyone feels his wrath!

Sippin’ Haterade Cont. • Aristocrats were unhappy because their power was gone (@ 510 BCE) • Aristocrats overthrow Hippias & banish him • Aristocrats back in control untill… • …. back to a Tyrrany • Isagoras (an Aristocrat) convinced a rival city-state Isagoras (guess who…)to attack Athens and re-claimed their power • Kicks out other Aristocrats (@ 700) • Including Cleisthenes • Rules from the acropolis with Spartans! • Until common people revolt!

Democracy is created • For the 1 st time in history – people revolt against the government • Around 510 BC a man named Cleisthenes gained power in Athens. (called out of exile) • Despite coming from a rich family he felt that, aristocrats had too much influence • With the support of the people he overthrew the aristocracy and established the world’s first democracy

Democracy under Cleisthenes • All citizens had the right to participate in the assembly, or gathering of citizens that created the city’s laws. • The assembly met outdoors on a hillside so everyone could attend

Democracy Cont. • During meetings, people stood before the crowd and gave speeches on political issues. They were actually encouraged to do so… • After speeches were over the assembly voted usually by show of hands, but sometimes secret ballots (black & white stones)

Voting • The number of people who voted in assembly changed day to day • For major decisions the assembly needed 6, 000 people which wasn’t always easy to get • Red rope attendance? What do you guess that is?

Too many People • What do you think would be a problem with having a 6, 000 person assembly? • Athenians selected citizens to be city officials • These city officials decided which laws the assembly should discuss • Some times officials determined by lottery!

Changes in Athenian Democracy • Citizens served on juries to decide court cases • Juries had anywhere from 200 to 6, 000 people

Pericles • Led the government from 460 BC-429 BC • To encourage people to participate in government he started to pay people who served in public offices or on juries • He also encouraged the spread of democracy in Greece

Direct v. Representative Democracy

Direct v. Representative Democracy • All citizens in Athens could participate directly in government • What this means is a person’s decision directly affects the outcome of a vote • The United States is too large for everyone to gather so we formed another kind of Democracy

Representative Democracy • The democracy created by the United States is a representative democracy, or republic - a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law • “And, surprise, a representative democracy is a kind of republic. What distinguishes a republic is that it has an elected government. Representative democracies are, therefore, a kind of republic. Self-appointed governments such as monarchies, dictatorships, oligarchies, theocracies and juntas are not republics. However, this still allows for a wide spectrum. ”

Representative Democracy • In this system, citizens select officials to represent them in government • Elected officials then meet to make up and enforce the country’s laws • Americans elect senators and representatives to Congress who pass laws. • We trust our chosen representatives to vote for us.