Roots of Democracy

1. Roots of Democracy

2. Athens, Greece • Athens gave the world its first example of Democracy in about 2000 BCE • The word DEMOCRACY comes from 2 Greek words, and literally means “rule of the people”: • Demos: People • Kratos: Power • My favorite Greek word: Idiwtes (Idiot)

3. Athens, continued • In the democracy of Athens there were rules about who could participate • Citizens could vote, but not everyone was a citizen • Each year, citizens gathered to choose 3 nobles to rule the city-state • This is an example of an Oligarchy: the power of the few to rule many

4. Athens, continued • After years of problems, the Greek democracy – they left behind the oligarchy • Athens became a Direct Democracy: a form of government where citizens rule and make laws directly rather than through representatives • The direct democracy encouraged people to think logically and use reason rather than emotion to make wise choices for their city-state

5. Athens, continued

6. Athens, continued • Legacy of Greece: • Participatory government • Reliance on reason instead of emotion for decision making

7. Rome • Rome had been a monarchy, but became a Republic in 509 BCE • Republic: a government where the power rests with the citizens, who elect representatives to make decisions for them • As in Greece, not everyone was a citizen • Only citizens could vote and be elected as a representative

8. Rome, continued • Rome’s Republic gave the world its first written code of law, called Roman Law • Rome was a very powerful Republic and controlled lands all throughout the continent of Europe, and even part of Brittain for a time • As a result, Roman Law became the law of the land throughout the Roman Empire

9. Rome, continued

10. Rome, continued • Legacy of Rome: • Extension/continuation of the Greek’s idea of a citizen • Written legal code that should be applied equally to all citizens

11. Traditions of Athens and Rome are Lost • The fall of the Roman Empire around 500 CE led to the beginning of the “Dark Ages” or Medieval period • People were once again ruled by monarchs, dictators, and aristocrats • Lives were bound by faith

12. Role of the Church • The Christian (Catholic) Church’s power grew tremendously during the Medieval period • People became very religious and superstitious • Belief that all things were “pre-ordained” • Decided by God before-hand, and that individuals had no control over their lives • Their lot in life was determined by God, so who were they to try to change it?

13. Role of the Monarchy • Monarchies are handed down from generation to generation – you cannot become a king or queen by any other means • Monarchs believed (and so their subjects believed) that they were given this power by God • Divine Right of Kings: Monarchs are chosen by God, and are accountable only to God • No onecould question a king’s right to rule because that would be questioning God’s will

14. Church and Monarchies Combine • Kings and queens were linked to the church by the Divine Right of Kings, so they wanted to do whatever they could to protect the church • The Roman Catholic Church became the most powerful institution in Europe • All parts of people’s daily lives were influenced by the Church

15. Magna Carta: The First Sign of Changes to Come • King John was VERY unpopular among the people of England • England was fighting an unpopular war with France, while at the same time fighting in the Crusades • King John tried to raise taxes on the people to pay for the war • The English Nobles (people who owned property) began to rebel because of the taxes

16. Magna Carta • The nobles grew so frustrated that they basically forced the King to change the rules for the English Monarchy • The Magna Carta (Great Charter) gave people specific individual rights for the first time • Cannot be arrested without cause • Right to a trial for crimes • All have the right to the same form of justice • Cannot be taxed without approval from the people