1. Bell Ringer Which ancient civilizations, people, or events had a profound impact on the government of the United States? Which ancient civilizations, people, or events had a profound impact on the government of the United States? This Day in History: August 27, 2007- NFL start Mike Vick pleads guilty in a dog fighting case. August 27, 1776- George Washington is defeated by the British at Brooklyn Heights, New York August 27, 1908- Lyndon Baines Johnson is born in Stonewall, Texas.

2. Europe Before Transatlantic Travel

3. Greek Philosophers Socrates was a great teacher in Ancient Greece who created the Socratic Method which is similar to the scientific method. Socrates was a great teacher in Ancient Greece who created the Socratic Method which is similar to the scientific method. Plato was a student of Socrates who wrote The Republic which describes an ideal society based on justice and fairness for everyone. Plato was a student of Socrates who wrote The Republic which describes an ideal society based on justice and fairness for everyone. Founded the Academy in Athens which was the first institution for higher learning in the Western World. Founded the Academy in Athens which was the first institution for higher learning in the Western World. Aristotle was a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. He had a major influence on philosophy, math, and science. Aristotle was a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. He had a major influence on philosophy, math, and science.

5. Greek Influence on the U.S. Greece was divided into several hundred independent city-states. Greece was divided into several hundred independent city-states. Athens was a city state that established the first democracy in which the people rule themselves. Athens was a city state that established the first democracy in which the people rule themselves. All male citizens had the right to gather at assembly to debate and create the city’s laws. All male citizens had the right to gather at assembly to debate and create the city’s laws.

8. Direct Democracy vs. Republic Direct Democracy Every citizen votes on every issue. Every citizen votes on every issue. Ideas are debated at an assembly of all citizens. Ideas are debated at an assembly of all citizens.Republic Citizens elect representatives to vote on issues. Citizens elect representatives to vote on issues. Ideas are debated at an assembly of representatives. Ideas are debated at an assembly of representatives.

9. Roman Republic Romans elected officials to rule the city. They remained in power for one year. Romans elected officials to rule the city. They remained in power for one year. Roman laws were written and kept on public display for people to follow. Roman laws were written and kept on public display for people to follow. Introduced the concept of equality before the law and innocent until proven guilty. Introduced the concept of equality before the law and innocent until proven guilty. Preceded the Roman Empire. Preceded the Roman Empire.

12. Middle Ages In the 480s the Franks conquered the Gauls in the area of land now known as France. In the 480s the Franks conquered the Gauls in the area of land now known as France. They expanded their empire but the king could not defend his lands. They expanded their empire but the king could not defend his lands. The system of nobles, knights, and peasants began as a result (feudalism) The system of nobles, knights, and peasants began as a result (feudalism)

14. The Crusades A long series of wars fought between Christians and Muslims over the Holy Lands. A long series of wars fought between Christians and Muslims over the Holy Lands. The Christians would lose but the Crusades would increase trade between Europe and Asia. The Christians would lose but the Crusades would increase trade between Europe and Asia.

15. Increased Trade During the Middle Ages new farming technology allowed cities to grow larger. During the Middle Ages new farming technology allowed cities to grow larger. Trade increased from Asia to Europe along the Silk road. Marco Polo traveled this route and came back with spices, coal, and paper money. Trade increased from Asia to Europe along the Silk road. Marco Polo traveled this route and came back with spices, coal, and paper money. However, these trade routes helped spread the Bubonic Plague (Black Death). However, these trade routes helped spread the Bubonic Plague (Black Death). This lead to the end of the feudal system. This lead to the end of the feudal system.

16. The Renaissance Order and stability was brought during this time period as kings increased power over the nobles. Order and stability was brought during this time period as kings increased power over the nobles. There was a rebirth of knowledge and ideas that started in Italy and spread across Europe. There was a rebirth of knowledge and ideas that started in Italy and spread across Europe.

17. Renaissance Reemergence of ancient texts from ancient Greece and Rome. Reemergence of ancient texts from ancient Greece and Rome. There was a shift from religion to the humanities. Art, literature, science, and political thought were valued. There was a shift from religion to the humanities. Art, literature, science, and political thought were valued. Johannes Gutenberg developed the printing press which allowed the mass production of books and newspapers. Johannes Gutenberg developed the printing press which allowed the mass production of books and newspapers.

20. Growth of Business and Trade Mercantilism or government control of foreign trade to increase national security emerged during the Renaissance. Mercantilism or government control of foreign trade to increase national security emerged during the Renaissance. Banks began to flourish by charging interest on loans to merchants. Banks began to flourish by charging interest on loans to merchants. Joint-stock companies were businesses that a group of people invested together to decrease risk. Joint-stock companies were businesses that a group of people invested together to decrease risk.

21. Discussion Questions How is the United States government similar to the governments of Greece and Rome? How is the United States government similar to the governments of Greece and Rome? What was the biggest outcome of the Crusades? What was the biggest outcome of the Crusades? What helped lead to the end of the feudal system? What helped lead to the end of the feudal system? Read the Magna Carta (R48), what is the importance of this document? What did it do? Read the Magna Carta (R48), what is the importance of this document? What did it do? What events helped bring about the Renaissance? What events helped bring about the Renaissance?