GOVERNMENT IN ATHENS By: Mr. Kratzman

Government  the political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members, citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies, and states;  Government is necessary to the existence of civilized society.

Forms of Gov’t In Greece  Monarchy  Oligarchy  Tyranny  Democracy

Monarchy  “governing power in the hands of one person, usually a king”  Power passed down to oldest son  Pass laws  Judges  Religious ceremonies  Led armies  punishments

Aristocracy and Aristocrats  “A class of persons holding exceptional rank and privileges, especially the hereditary nobility”.  “A member of the noble family or class”.  Rich landowners who took power in Greece.  Advisors to the king  Gained power

Oligarchy  “A government in which only a few people have power”.  Typically those in nobility or a high class control the oligarchy  Enforced laws that were beneficial to them, not poor

Tyranny and Tyrants  “Power is in the hands of one person who holds that power by use of force”  In Greece, tyrants were good leaders who stayed in power because of strong armies and the support of the people.  Often promised more rights to (poor) citizens How much power did citizens have in a tyrannical government Why were tyrannies supported by the people?

Citizens  “People who had the right to participate in government”.  Fight for more citizen rights in response to monarchy & oligarchy  Draco – Citizen who created a new set of laws for Athens in 600 B.C.E., laws were very harsh “draconian”  Solon – Created new laws in 590 B.C.E that were less harsh then Draco’s and gave more rights to the citizens and non-aristocrats. Why did people decided to move away from tyrannies?

Democracy  “A type of government in which people rule themselves”  Citizen participation in government  Greece considered to be the birthplace of democracy  Not all Greek city-states became or were democracies.  Athens was most well-known democracy  “perfected” it

Direct Democracy  Cleisthenes – “father of democracy”  Citizens participate directly in the government  Assembly – gathering of citizens (outside) to create city’s laws  Speeches given on issues, everyone was encouraged to speak  Voting – show of hands or ballots  Major decisions required 6,000 voters Selected citizens to serve on smaller councils

Representative Democracy  Citizens elect officials to represent them in government  Those officials meet to make laws  Citizens don’t vote on all laws, representatives do

Democracy Then & Now  All citizens met as a group to debate & vote directly on every issue  No separation of power. Citizens created & enforced laws, & acted as judges  Only free male citizens could vote (not women or slaves)  Elect representatives to debate &vote on issues  Separation of powers (3 branches of government  Male & female citizens have the right to vote Athenian Direct Democracy American Representative Democracy

Your Task  You will need your textbook, and other research materials.  You will be randomly assigned to a small group  You and your teammates will become experts on a specific form of government found in Ancient Greece.  After your research is complete you will share your findings with the class.

Groups  1. Democracy  2. Aristocrats  3. Oligarchy  4. Tyrants  5. Aristocrats  6. Democracy  7. Oligarchy  8. Tyrants

Directions  Once in your groups each person will need to write down all questions and answers, you will need this for an individual part later on.  Answer all questions in complete and thoughtful sentences, one word answers or incomplete sentences will not be acceptable.  Please write neatly, or type your answers.

Questions  1. What is your form of government?  2. How does it govern Greece / who is in charge?  3. What time did it exist?  4. What are 3 positives of your government?

Questions  5. What are 3 negatives of your government?  6. Why do you think your form of government was created?  7. Why do you think your government disappeared? If it did not, why did it stay?  8. Is there anywhere in the world today that your government still exists?