The Rise of Democratic Ideas! Unit #1: Defining America and Where Our Democratic Ideas Came From

The Rise of Democratic Ideas: Essential Questions 1.How did Greek, Roman, and Judeo-Christian ideas lead to Democracy in America? 2.What role did European developments have on the Democracy in America?

What is a Democracy? Definition: A system of government run and administered by the people of a society Democracies did not just materialize out of thin air For centuries before our own society decided democracy is the way to go, the prevailing view was that people were neither responsible, qualified, nor smart enough to rule themselves. They needed kings, queens, emperors, warlords and other "more qualified" to be the leaders of a society.

What are Examples of a Democracy? Our American government system, American Idol, School ASB elections A classroom is not a democratically run system

The Rise of Democratic Ideas Thematic Ideas of the Spread of Democracy Equality – All people are created equal 10 Commandments Roman Laws The Reformation Cleisthenes, leader of Athens in Ancient Greece Rights – Protected Freedoms English Bill of Rights 10 Commandments The Magna Carta The U.S. Constitution Liberty – The Ability To Choose One’s Fate Declaration of Independence The Enlightenment Era Opportunity – A Chance to Do What You Want/Can Declaration of Independence The Renaissance Democracy – The People Choose Their Political Fate The U.S. Constitution The French Revolution Greek Democracy Roman Laws The Magna Carta

The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence IDEALS: –Equality –Rights –Liberty –Opportunity –Responsibility –Democracy

The Constitution of the United StatesThe Constitution of the United States IDEALS –Rule of Law –Equality –Rights –Liberty –Separation of Powers

GREECE AMERICA ENGLAND ROME RELIGION THE ENLIGHTENMENT & SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEMOCRATIC IDEAS

Aristotle ( BCE) Aristotle argued that the goal of a human being is happiness, and that we achieve happiness when we make reasonable choices with our actions. To Aristotle, if people act reasonably, they are happy, and all of society benefits. The goal: be happy, be reasonable.

Who Have We Influenced? Much like our Democratic country was influenced by historical movements and the Rise of Democratic Ideas, other countries were influenced by those movements after we became a democratic country The difference between us and them is that they had a real, tangible, and modern example to model themselves after Think of the U.S. democracy as a “role model” for other countries and institutions

The French Revolution (1789-mid 1800s) A revolution by the people in revolt of their ineffective King A representative government was formed where people chose their leaders The movement was based on the idea of “social justice” not Natural Rights like the American Revolution

Latin American Revolutions (Late 1700s – 1800s) Using the ideas of the Enlightenment and examples of the Americans and French Numerous countries in South America, Central America, and Mexico struggled for independence from European countries Simon Bolivar is still viewed as the hero of Latin American countries

Europe After WWII ( s) After millions of deaths and close to a decade of war that gripped the world, numerous countries in Europe switched from dictatorships to democracies The United States had a hand in helping create democratic institutions in Germany, Italy, Austria, and other countries previously under Nazi occupation “WE SHALL BE THE GREAT ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY…”

The United Nations (1945-Present) Created after WWII as an international body to ensure future wars will not be quick to materialize Countries join and follow rules in order to keep peace Its also a way to air grievances against other countries We the peoples of the United Nations determined: to save succeeding generations from the scourge [curse] of warto save succeeding generations from the scourge [curse] of war to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights…to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights…

Iraq & Afghanistan (2003- Present) The U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003 to remove the dictator Saddam Hussein Controversial from the start, the invasion and occupation lasted for years as the U.S. worked to install a democratic government The government and experiment in democracy has lasted but its fate is undetermined