29 January 2013 **Fill Out Your Planners!!! **Fill Out Your Planners!!! Bellringer – Take out Packet page 6 Bellringer – Take out Packet page 6 PowerPoint Notes on Government in Athens – Packet page 6 & 7 PowerPoint Notes on Government in Athens – Packet page 6 & 7 HW : Read Section 8.2 & Guided Questions HW : Read Section 8.2 & Guided Questions
Government in Athens
Birthplace of Democracy Greece is the birthplace of Democracy, a type of government in which people rule themselves 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” The word democracy comes form Greek words meaning “rule of the people”
Rise of the Aristocrats In early Greece, kings ruled the city-state. In early Greece, kings ruled the city-state. Later, a group of rich landowners, or aristocrats took power 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 A government in which only a small group of people have power is called an oligarchy
Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems With the aristocrats controlling $ and now the government, the common people had little say in the government. With the aristocrats controlling $ and now the government, the common people had little say in the government. In the 600s BC, a group of rebels tried to overthrow the aristocrats, but it didn’t work In the 600s BC, a group of rebels tried to overthrow the aristocrats, but it didn’t work
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 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. These laws were very harsh. Punishing minor crimes like loitering punishable by death.
Draco….out Draco’s laws were believed to be too harsh so a man named Solon created less harsh laws. 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 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 In 546 a noble named Peisistratus overthrew the oligarchy Peisistratus became the leader of Athens and was called a tyrant. Peisistratus became the leader of Athens and was called a tyrant. A tyrant is, a leader who held power through the use of force A tyrant is, a leader who held power through the use of force
Tyrant what, tyrant who? Today the word tyrant is harsh but in ancient Greece the word had a very different meaning 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. Tyrants in Athenian government were usually good leaders with strong armies and support from the people. Peisistratus brought peace and prosperity to the city starting new policies to unify the city, building temples and monuments. Peisistratus brought peace and prosperity to the city starting new policies to unify the city, building temples and monuments.
Sippin Haterade After Peisistratus died, his son took over as tyrant After Peisistratus died, his son took over as tyrant Aristocrats were unhappy because their power was gone Aristocrats were unhappy because their power was gone They convinced a rival city-state to attack Athens and re-claimed their power They convinced a rival city-state to attack Athens and re-claimed their power
Democracy is created Around 500 BC a man named Cleisthenes gained power in Athens. Around 500 BC a man named Cleisthenes gained power in Athens. Despite coming from a rich family he felt that, aristocrats had too much influence 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 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. 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 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… 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 After speeches were over the assembly voted usually by show of hands, but sometimes secret ballots
Voting The number of people who voted in assembly changed day to day 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 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? 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? What do you think would be a problem with having a 6,000 person assembly? Athenians selected citizens to be city officials Athenians selected citizens to be city officials These city officials decided which laws the assembly should discuss These city officials decided which laws the assembly should discuss
Changes in Athenian Democracy Citizens served on juries to decide court cases Citizens served on juries to decide court cases Juries had anywhere from 200 to 6,000 people Juries had anywhere from 200 to 6,000 people Why would you have an odd number of jurors? Why would you have an odd number of jurors?
Pericles Led the government from 460 BC-429 BC 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 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 He also encouraged the spread of democracy in Greece
Direct v. Representative Democracy All citizens in Athens could participate directly in government All citizens in Athens could participate directly in government What this means is a person’s decision directly affects the outcome of a vote 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 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 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.” “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 In this system, citizens select officials to represent them in government Elected officials then meet to make up and enforce the country’s laws Elected officials then meet to make up and enforce the country’s laws Americans elect senators and representatives to Congress who pass laws. Americans elect senators and representatives to Congress who pass laws. We trust our chosen representatives to vote for us. We trust our chosen representatives to vote for us.