1. Agenda: The Roman Republic
Unit 1 Essential Questions:
1. Is there such a thing as one “best form of government” for all societies?
2. How did Greco-Roman political philosophy and political reforms in medieval England influence the development of democratic values?
Learning Target: I can compare and contrast the Roman Republic’s system of government with the US system of government.
HW #2 Rome (Block Day)
Study for Practice Quiz (Block Day)
Study for Quiz (Friday)

2. Pretend that all of you are: A. Hungry. B. Forgot to bring lunch and C
Pretend that all of you are: A. Hungry. B. Forgot to bring lunch and C. Have no money or time to buy lunch. THIS IS THE ONLY MEAL YOU WILL HAVE ALL DAY. Pretend that your history teacher is a kind and generous person. Now pretend that your teacher is offering free lunch to everyone in this classroom. The teacher only has the time and money to arrange for ONE OPTION from the list below, subject to a vote by the classroom. No alterations are allowed: 1. Fried chicken (organic and free range) purchased at Delcampo. Prepared by a Chubalicious, middle aged American male using pepper, salt and a little cayenne pepper. 2. A green pepper and onion pizza from Stephano's. 3. Panang Tofu: A Thai recipe consisting of deep friend tofu with a peanut curry sauce + green onions and red peppers.

3. If this were real, would anybody here go hungry for the day?
Partner/Share
What changes could the students have made to make the scenario fair to the minority of voters?
2. Come up with an example from real life when a democratic majority, either in the USA or elsewhere, trampled on the rights of a minority.

4. The Roman Republic
Republic = A divided government where citizens vote for representatives to make decisions based on a set of rules.
Only free, property-owning men were citizens.
Make sure you fully understand the vocabulary words (i.e. Republic). You will be asked to use them in a historically accurate sentence during the quiz and unit test.

5. ROMAN REPUBLIC 509 BCE – 46 BCE (approx. 500 years)
509 B.C.E. Rome was a small city state.
284 B.C.E. Took all of Italy
267 B.C.E. Defeated the Greeks.
By 44 B.C.E. Dominated most of the “known world.”

6. Plebeians Artisans, shopkeepers, small farm owners.
All property owning males were citizens who could vote.
Could not marry a Patrician.
Could only serve in the Assembly.
Patricians
Small group of the wealthiest Romans. Owned most of the land.
All property owning males were citizens who could vote.
Could not marry a Plebian.
Could serve in all branches of government.

7. Consuls Two chosen every year by the Assembly.
Headed the army + ran the government.
Veto-- The right of one consul to reject the other’s decision.

8. What are the pros and cons of this consul system?
PARTNER/SHARE
What are the pros and cons of this consul system?
After the discussion, students are encouraged to ask online questions or write online comments about these questions. Keep it classy though…

9. Senate 300 Patricians chosen for life by the consuls. Advise consuls.
Latin for “old men”
300 Patricians chosen for life by the consuls.
Advise consuls.
Deal with other countries.

10. Assembly
Plebians only.
Chose consuls.

11. TWELVE TABLES Plebeians went on strike for more say in the government.
The Patricians compromised- Passed a written code of law called the TWELVE TABLES.

12. Roman Law All citizens had the right to equal treatment under the law.
Everyone was considered innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof was on the accuser, not the accused.
Why is that important?
Slaves, foreigners and Romans not wealthy enough to own property were not citizens and therefore did not receive equal treatment under the law.

13. + Downfall of the Republic
Income Inequality: Conquering neighbors = massive wealth for Patrician military leaders = slaves and land. +
Demagogues: Citizenship expanded. Immoral politicians made irresponsible promises to angry Plebians. =
Civil Wars
With all the extra slaves and land, Patricians could out-compete their Plebian neighbors in farming, driving down prices until they went bankrupt, then buying their land too. Created massive resentment and poverty among what used to be middle class people.

14. Discuss with partner, then write on the board
Pick one, then come on up!
Either:
Write a major difference between the Roman Republic and the American system of government (left board). OR
Write a major similarity between the Roman Republic and the American system of government (right board).
After the discussion, students are encouraged to ask online questions or write online comments about these questions. Keep it classy though…

15. Activity: The 12 Tables (Finish next class)
On the class web site, go to:
Read your assigned Table, the discuss the following with your group:
Which 1-2 laws make the most sense? Why?
Which 1-2 laws make the least sense? Why?
Which law do you wish we had in the USA? Why?
Share a google doc with each other, write down your answers with the names of everyone in your group, then share it with
Be ready to discuss with the class.
It’s OK to do some on-line research.