Transcript Demos = “people”

The Foundations of Democracy
1. The people of Ancient Greece were the
first to develop democracy.
2. Democracy = The rule of the people
3. The word “democracy” comes from the
Greek language:
A. Demos = “people”
B. Kratos = “rule” or “authority”
The Power of the Citizen
1. Greek civilization began as many small
isolated cities that governed themselves.
These became known as city-states.
2. The most powerful city-state was Athens.
3. Each year Athenian citizens elected three
nobles (rich dudes) to rule the city.
4. The fact that citizens were able to elect
leaders was a big deal because, at the time,
most people were ruled by a leader who
had total power.
The Reforms of Solon
1. Many Greek farmers were falling into
slavery because they could not pay their
debts.
2. A leader by the name of Solon outlawed
any slavery that was based on debt.
3. He also organized society into four classes
of citizens. These classes were based on
wealth, not on blood lines.
4. Of these four classes, only the top three
could hold public office. But all four
classes could vote.
The Reforms of Solon
5. Citizens only made up 10% of the Greek
population. So only one out of every ten
people had the right to participate in
government.
6. Among those who were not citizens were
women, slaves, and foreign residents.
The Reforms of Cleisthenes
1. 84 years after Solon came to power, a man
by the name of Cleisthenes ruled Athens.
2. He took power away from the rich nobles
and gave it to all citizens.
3. He allowed all citizens to submit laws for
debate and passage.
4. He also created a new council where
members were chosen by lot.
5. Because of these reforms, he is generally
considered the founder of democracy in
Athens.
CLEISTHENES
The Rule of Pericles
1. Pericles was perhaps Ancient Greece’s
greatest ruler. He ruled for 32 years,
during a time known as the Golden Age of
Greece
2. Pericles reformed democracy by allowing
poorer citizens to participate in
government. He did this by:
A. Increasing the number of paid public
officials
B. Paying jurors
The Rule of Pericles
3. Under the rule of Pericles, Athens became
a “direct democracy.” This is a form of
government in which the citizens rule
directly, not through representatives.
Pericles Funeral Oration
"Our constitution does not copy the laws of
neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to
others than imitators ourselves. Our
administration favors the many instead of the few;
this is why it is called a democracy.
But while there exists equal justice to all and alike
in their private disputes, the claim of excellence is
also recognized; and when a citizen is in any way
distinguished, he is preferred to the public service,
not as a matter of privilege, but as the reward of
merit. Nor again does poverty bar the way, if a
man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered
by the obscurity of his condition”
The Greek Philosophers
1. The Greeks were unique because they used
logic and reason, rather than myth, to
investigate the different aspects of life.
2. In Ancient Greece, many great thinkers
emerged. These people were known as
philosophers, or “lovers of wisdom.”
3. These philosophers had two assumptions:
A. The universe is put together in an orderly way
and is subject to natural and unchanging laws.
B. People can understand these laws through logic
and reason.
The Greek Philosophers
4. The first great Greek philosopher was
Socrates.
5. Socrates created a way of teaching by asking
questions. This way of teaching became
known as the Socratic Method. This method
of teaching is still widely used today
6. Socrates’ greatest student was Plato. Plato
wrote a famous book called “Republic.” In
this book Plato stated that a society should
not be governed by the rich and powerful, but
the wise. He called these rulers “philosopherkings.”
The Greek Philosophers
7. Plato’s greatest student was named Aristotle.
8. Aristotle’s most famous book was called
“Politics.”
9. Aristotle also created syllogisms, which are
three logically related statements that helped
prove something true.
a) Here is an example of a syllogism
All men are mortal.
Socrates is a man.
Socrates is mortal.
The Legacy of Ancient Greece
1. The Greeks came up with natural laws,
which are predictable patterns that are
discovered through intelligence and
reason.
2. The Greeks were the first to develop a
direct democracy.
3. The Greeks were the first to come up with
the three branches of government, also
known as the “separation of powers.”
A. Legislative branch to pass laws
B. Executive branch to carry out laws
C. Judicial branch to settle disputes about laws
Sources
• Beck, Roger, et al. Modern World History: Patterns
of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal-Littell
Inc., 2003.
• Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998
Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.