Transcript Athenian Democracy

Aim: How did Athens evolve into
a democracy?
Do Now: 1. In every day
life, who imposes rules or
laws on individuals?
2. What might be the
benefits of these laws?
I. Direct Democracy
 How is a direct democracy different
from a representative government?
A. Differences
 1. Direct-citizens argue and vote on
issues and policies.
 2. Representative- voters select
representatives to argue, write, and
vote on issues and policies.
B. Athens
 In the U.S., we often think of
Washington D.C. as the “beltway” or
“them,” how was Athens different?
 How were politicians selected?
 Athenian citizens referred to their
government as “us.”
 Politicians or public officials were
randomly selected and not voted in
by citizens.
C. Political Stability
 Professional politicians or amateur-which works better? How might
voting in a direct democracy cause
instability?
 1. Unstable-laws can be accepted
one week and then the following
week removed.
 2. Many politicians were not
educated well enough
 3. No Constitution-checks
D. Citizens
 1. Born-Athenian father and mother.
2. Male
II. Democracy begins
What did Solon do that gave him the
title the father of democracy?
A. Solon 594 B.C.
 Created the Council of 400 to
screen laws going through the
Assembly.
 Protected the rights of Athenians.
What changes did
Cleisthenes do that
made democracy work
better?
B. Cleisthenes
 1. Made the Council geographically
Balanced.
2. 5o members chosen from 10 areas to
prepare laws.
3. Empowered the Assembly-first 6000
citizens would vote on actions.
4. Ostracism-vote once a year to exile
someone who threatened democracy.