Download Chapter 8 Section 2 - Marion County Public Schools

CHAPTER
8
SECTION
2
Government
in Athens
Warm-up 1
1. Land surrounded on three
sides by water is called a/an
island or peninsula?
2. What sea separates Greece
from Egypt (see map)? Mediterannean
3. Greece’ geography could be
described as mountainous or
flat?
Aegean
4. The Minoan civilization developed on the island of Crete or on
mainland Greece?
5. The Mycenaeans built land fortresses or settled along islands?
6. In Greece, each city had it’s own government. We call these
polis or empires?
The Big Idea
The people of Athens tried many different forms of
government before creating a democracy.
Main Ideas
• Aristocrats and tyrants ruled early Athens.
• Athens created the world’s first democracy.
• Ancient democracy was different than modern democracy.
Aristocrats and Tyrants Rule
■ Greece is the birthplace of democracy, a type of
government in which people rule themselves.
– The word democracy comes from Greek words
meaning “rule of the people.”
■ But Greek city-states didn’t start as democracies,
and not all became democratic.
The Legend of Athens
Rule by a Few People
■ Even Athens, the city
where democracy was
born, began with a
different kind of
government.
■ In early Athens, kings ruled
the city-state, until the
aristocrats, took power in
the form of an oligarchy.
■ The Eupatrid family
held power
Rule by a Few People
■ The aristocrats dominated Athenian society.
– As the richest men in town, they ran the city’s
economy.
– They also served as its generals and judges.
Common people had little say in the
government.
Rule by a Few People
■ As a result of rebels trying to
overthrow the aristocrats, harsh
laws were created by a man
named Draco. The people
thought his laws were too strict.
■
Rule by a Few People
■ Because Draco’s
laws were written
down, aristocrats
could no longer
dictate what was
legal and what
was not.
■ Draconian
means very
cruel or
severe.
Cylon’s Coup
The Wisest Man in Athens
■ In the 590s BC, Solon was chosen to reform the
government
1. Enslavement for Debt was abolished.
2. Urged farmers to grow cash crops for trade
3. Created a set of laws allowing all free men to
be citizens, and to attend the Assembly.
Solon’s Reforms
■ But his efforts were not enough for the Athenians.
They were ready to end the rule of the aristocracy.
■ In 546 BC, Peisistratus overthrew the oligarchy,
however, and became the tyrant of Athens.
The Rise of Tyrants
■ He was called a tyrant.
■ Tyrants were usually good, not
harsh, leaders in ancient
Greece.
– Tyrants were able to stay
in power because they had
the support of the army
and the people.
The Rise of Tyrants
■ Peisistratus brought peace and prosperity to the
city.
■ Reduced taxes
■ Made festivals important
■ Beautify the city
The Rise of Tyrants
Questions
1. What were Greek tyrants like?
2. Why was Athens considered at one
point an oligarchy
3. Why did many Athenians support the
rule of tyrants?
Warm-up
1.
The world’s first democratic government was formed in the Greek citystate of Athens or Sparta?
2.
At first, the city of Athens was ruled by a king. This is called oligarchy
or monarchy?
3.
Over time, a small group of wealthy landowners took power. This form
of government is called an aristocracy or tyranny?
4.
The common people demanded more rights, so a series of tyrants
seized power from the aristocrats and made reforms. Rule by a person
who takes power by force is called democracy or tyranny?
5.
Some tyrants were good and some were bad. The tyrant who made
harsh laws and began debt slavery was Draco or Solon?
6.
Eventually all free (male) citizens gained the right to vote. Rule by the
people is called oligarchy or democracy?
Democracy’s Champion
Athens Creates Democracy
■ A leader named Cleisthenes,
a member of one of the most
powerful families in Athens,
overthrew the aristocracy and
established the world’s first
democracy.
■ Cleisthenes is considered the
father of democracy.
Democracy under
Cleisthenes
■ Under Cleisthenes, all citizens in Athens
had the right to participate in the assembly,
or gathering of citizens, that passed the
city’s laws.
Democracy under
Cleisthenes
■ Under Cleisthenes
– The Assembly choose 10 generals to run the
army and navy
– The Council of 500 administered everyday
government businesses such as taxes,
treaties, and public works.
Democracy under
Cleisthenes
■ The assembly would meet
on the hillside so that
everyone could attend and
hear what was said.
■ Every citizen could speak
his opinion on issues.
■ Voting was usually done by
hand or secret ballot.
Ostracism
Democracy under
Cleisthenes
■ For major decisions, however, the assembly needed
about 6000 people to vote.
■ They needed many citizens to participate and
sometimes had to go searching for people to be in
the assembly.
Democracy under
Cleisthenes
■ The Athenians therefore
selected citizens by lot to
be part of the Council of
500.
■ These officials decided
which laws the assembly
should discuss.
■ This helped the
government run more
smoothly.
Changes in Athenian
Democracy
■ As time passed, citizens got more power, such as
serving on juries.
■ Athens remained a democracy for about 170 years.
Changes in Athenian Democracy
■ Athens reached its height under Pericles,
who encouraged people to take pride in
their city.
■ He led the government from 460 BC-429 BC
■ He funded the building of the Parthenon.
Changes in Athenian
Democracy
■ Encouraged people to participate in the
government and to spread democracy.
■ Pericles also began to pay people who served in
public office or on juries.
The End of Democracy in
Athens
■ Athens was conquered by the Macedonians and fell
under their influence.
■ Athens would continue with a modified form of
democracy, however it would be influence by a
foreign power.
Questions
1. Who was the father of democracy?
2. Why were slaves sent to round up
citizens?
3. Why was a smaller council of officials
necessary?
Ancient Democracy Differs
from Modern Democracy
■ All citizens in Athens could participate directly in
the government, which was called a direct
democracy.
■ Each vote counted, and the majority ruled.
Ancient Democracy Differs
from Modern Democracy
■ The United States is too large for direct democracy
to work for the whole country.
■ Instead, we have a representative democracy.
Ancient Democracy Differs
from Modern Democracy
■ In a representative democracy, also called a
republic, citizens elect officials to represent them
in the government. These officials then make the
laws.
Questions
1. What is a direct democracy?
2. How does a representative democracy work?
3. Why didn’t the United States establish a direct
democracy?
Close
■ Briefly explain in writing the benefits
and drawbacks of the various
governments of ancient Athens
Close: Answers
1. Oligarchy-aristocrats ruled; only a select few had a
say in the government
2. Tyranny-powerful leader ruled and improved life of
the citizens, common people had no role in the
government
3. Democracy-all citizens ruled, power of nobles
limited; women, slaves, and foreigners have no
say, difficult to make decisions with so many
people.