Democracy Rule by the People

Objectives… O I can explain the role of “majority rule” in the origins of democracy in Ancient Greece. O I can compare democracy in Athens to democracy in the US. O I can identify characteristics of limited and unlimited government

Governing Ancient Greece O The first leaders of Greece were likely kings who were military leaders O After the Dark Ages of Greece, city-states were ruled by aristocrats O Aristocrats: members of rich and powerful families O Aristocrats controlled most of the good land, owned horses, chariots, and had the best weapons

Governing Ancient Greece O As city-states became richer from trade the middle class of merchants and artisans developed. O The middle class wanted more say in the government and could now afford armor, swords, and spears. O The middle class began to overthrow aristocratic rulers and replaced them with tyrants O Tyrant: a ruler who took power by force

Greek Hoplite Soldier

Greek Phalanx

Governing Ancient Greece O The middle class usually supported tyrants, but eventually some become too harsh and violent O Some city-states begin to overthrow tyrants and develop democracies. O Democracy: a form of government in which citizens govern themselves O Democracies use the principal of majority rule O Majority rule: the practice that more than half of a group can make decisions binding on the whole group

Athenian Democracy O Democracy was most fully developed in Athens O Athens was a direct democracy, meaning all citizens could vote on government policies O Athenians used trial by jury before issuing punishments O Who could vote? O Men who had two parents who came from families with citizenship O Women, slaves, and men with non-citizen parents could NOT vote

U.S. Democracy O The United States is a representative democracy, all citizens elect representatives to create and vote on government policies. O States elect representatives to go to Washington D.C. O These representatives make decisions about laws based upon the needs of the people in their state O The US also uses trial by jury O Who can vote? O Citizens over the age of 18 O Anyone born in the United States or U.S. territory is a citizen of the U.S. O Immigrants can apply for citizenship.

Differences Between Athenian and American Democracy O1. Requirements for citizenship O2. Direct democracy VS. Representative Democracy O3. The US allows people to apply for citizenship, Athens did not allow this

Similarities in Athenian and American Democracy O1. Trial by Jury O2. Citizens are granted the right to vote as part of the governmental process O3. The Government is made up of elected citizens who run the city-state/country on a daily basis

Unlimited Government O Unlimited Government: a form of government in which those of authority do not have to follow the same laws as everyone else. O Tyrants, aristocrats, and kings are usuallly unlimited governments O Examples: O 1. The King creates taxes that people have to pay, but he doesn’t have to pay them O 2. Only the King makes laws O 3. Laws only apply to certain people O 4. People can be put in jail without trial

Limited Government O Limited Government: a form of government in which everyone, including the people of authority (leaders), must obey the laws. O Democracies are usually limited governments. O Examples: O 1. Trial by jury (people vote to decide if a person is guilty of a crime) O 2. Elected officials make laws O 3. Search Warrants (People must have a reasonable cause to search someone’s personal belongings) O 4. Everyone pays taxes (Even the leaders!)