Democracy:A Brief History

The Beginning of Democracy Democracy means rule by the people Origin: ancient Greece Adult male citizens participated directly in the government of the city-state of Athens (not an all-inclusive democracy: women, slaves and foreign born men were left out)

Early Democracy in England 1215 – King John I is forced to sign the Magna Carta (Great Charter) This document places limits on his power It states that no one, even the King, is above the law

Early North American Democracy 1600s --The Iroquois Confederacy allowed five nations to meet to discuss and resolve issues It was more democratic than European Governments of the time and influenced the modern governments of Canada and the United States

The American Revolution 1775: Fed up with their King and the level of taxes they pay, angry American colonists break away from their home country (Britain) by force and form a new country.

The American Constitution 1787: The founders of the new country of America decide that the structure of their country and government should be clearly and formally laid out. The American Constitution establishes the United States as a Republic, with an elected President.

The French Revolution Late 1700s – The Monarchy in France was overthrown The idea of citizenship and the rights of the people were changing Under the slogan “Liberty, Fraternity, Equality” they challenged historical views on social class and status

Democracy in the British Empire 1893 --The New Zealand Election Act gave all women in New Zealand the right to vote The first place in the Empire and one of the first in the world to allow women to vote, regardless of status or ethnicity

Modern Democracy Has been influenced by the events profiled above Takes a variety of forms: Direct democracy – citizens are immediately involved in the decisions of government Representative democracy – citizens choose representatives to make decisions and act on their behalf

Countries use different forms of Democracy Ex: Parliamentary democracy, based on the British Westminster model Republican Democracy (ex – USA) – where citizens vote for both their representative(s) and their leader

The United Nations has identified eight elements that are common to all Democratic societies: Rule of Law Political Equality Common Good Personal Freedoms Human Dignity Political Freedoms Being Informed & Getting Involved Respect