1. Athens

2. Government in Athens Kings – first government
Oligarchy – a government where a small group of people have absolute rule
(usually upper class)
Reforms were made
to the government
to keep people from
uprising.

3. Ruler #1: Draco - wanted to prevent civil war - appointed to draw up a written code - laws applied equally to ALL classes - laws were extremely harsh - did not succeed

4. Ruler #2: Solon
A rich merchant. He set up a constitution that took power away from the rich.
Set up limits on how much land someone could own
Gave landowners a right to vote
Gave assembly power to pass laws
Erased all debts
Freed people enslaved due to debt
Gave citizenship to non-Athenian artists
Ordered fathers to teach sons a trade

5. Under Solon:
More Athenians took part in government
Trade increased
Poor were helped (but not too much)
Rich were VERY affected, but reforms did not necessarily increase their wealth.

6. Put into effect a democratic (equality of all) Constitution
Ruler #3: Cleisthenes
Put into effect a democratic (equality of all) Constitution
Freedom of speech
Council of 500
Members chosen each year by LOT (lottery)
Believed elections favored wealthy and well-spoken
Believed ALL citizens were smart enough to serve in government

7. New IDEAS in government:
Constitution – written rules
Term limits – everyone had a chance to participate
Freedom of Speech - people could oppose government without fear of punishment
Democracy – equality for all