Athens Democracy: Origins, Leaders, and Legacy

1. Government: a system of political and social representation and control: Democracy: A government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections

2. Athens Democracy

3. Greece, Athens & Athens Law • Greece started about 2000 B.C. by establishing cities in valleys along Greece’s rocky coast • Each city-state had its own government due to their geographic locations • Athens was the largest & most powerful city state in Greece • Athens first had a monarchy (government controlled by one person) • Athens government developed into an aristocracy (State ruled by noble class) • Citizens - were all free adult males • Slaves - formed 1/3 of the Athens population

5. Democratic Greek Leaders Solon Pericles Cleisthenes

6. Elected chief Archon (statesman) in 594 B.C. to help solve the problems of Athens • A statesman who solved the economic & political crisis that Athens faced by passing a law outlawing slavery based on debt & he canceled the farmers debts. • Established four classes of citizenship based on wealth, rather than heredity. • Created a council of 400, which prepared business for the already existing council. • Introduced a code of laws, which gave citizens the right to bring charges against wrongdoers. • Encouraged the export of goods, which became a profitable overseas trade. Solon (SO-luhn)

7. Cleisthenes (Klice-then-eez) A rich and powerful aristocrat • In 508 B.C. he introduces new reforms • Wanted to break up the power of the nobility • He allowed all citizens to submit laws for debate & passage • He reorganized the assembly to make Athens a Full Democracy (Every Athenian man would have one vote, and they would all meet and vote on what to do. The big meeting was called the Assembly) • Created the council of Five Hundred, (a smaller council of 500 men, who were chosen by a lottery, and changed every year) • He arranged the voting so that his family, the Alcmaeonids (alk-MEE-oh-nids), would have more votes than anyone else. • Regarded as the Founder of Democracy in Athens

8. Greek – Persian Wars 490 B.C. - 479 B.C. Persia invades Greece causing the Greek city-states to unite. Greece defeats Persia & creates an alliance of 140 city-states called The Delian League, with Athens as its lead city-state.

9. A statesman who increased the number of paid public officials & paid jurors • Under Pericles, Athens evolved into a Direct Democracy (a form of government where citizens rule directly & not thru representatives) • Under Pericles, more Athens citizens were actively involved in government than any other city-state • He is also responsible for the building of the Parthenon Pericles Led Athens for 32 years, from 461 to 429 B.C. “ Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people.” The Golden Age of Greece

12. War Path of Alexander the GreatThe Conquest of Egypt and Persia

13. Greek Philosophers Socrates Aristotle Plato

14. Ancient Greek philosophy is dominated by three very famous men: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Socrates- Philosopher from Athens taught people how to think using a question and answer approach. Socrates was killed in 399 B.C. without writing his ideas down Plato -began his work by writing down what Socrates had taught him, and then continued by writing down his own ideas and opening a school; the Academy. Aristotle came to study at Plato's school, and ended up starting his own school as well.Aristotle was more interested in science than Socrates or Plato. He wanted to use Socrates' logical methods to figure out how the real world worked; therefore Aristotle is really the father of today's scientific method. . One of Plato’s earlier works is the Republic, which describes what Plato thought would be a better form of government than the government of Athens.

15. The Legacy of Greece • Greece set lasting standards in politics & Philosophy. • Greeks did not rely on superstition or traditional explanations of the world. Instead, they used reason & intelligence to discover predictable patterns that they called “Natural Laws”. • The Greeks developed direct democracy in order that citizens could actively participate in political decisions. • They were the first to think of 3 branches of government • Legislative branch – to pass laws • Executive branch – to carry out the laws • Judicial branch – to settle disputes about the laws

16. ROME

17. History of Republican Government • A Republic means the people rule themselves through votes and their consent, not one single person (For the People, By the People).  The Roman Republic took much of the Greek government's principles and incorporated them into their own.  The Republic's governing body was called the Senate, • Senete is elected for one year terms. • The Senate elected two wealthy men to become the Consuls of Rome.  These men would be the ones to execute laws and whatever the Senate thought up, each with the power to check the other because the Romans swore they'd never bow to a king again. •  If a war should come up, one Consul would lead the armies, called Legions, while the other minded the civil businesses.   • If the now greatly expanded Republic should be in a situation most dire, the Senate would elect one man Dictator of Rome.  6 months maximum term • This Republic, however, wasn't much of a Republic to poor people called Plebeians. • The lack of Plebeian representation led to uprisings or civil wars, so the Senate put in a position for two men to represent the Plebeians and they had the power to call veto (I oppose) and thereby nullifying anything the Senate passed which was not in the best interests of the common people.

18. An important victory for the plebeians was forcing creation of a written law code. With laws unwritten, patrician officials often interpreted the law to suit themselves In 451 B.C. a group of 10 officials began writing down Rome’s laws. They had the laws carved on 12 tables, or tablets & publicly displayed. The 12 tables established the idea that all free citizens had the right to protection of the law & that laws would be fairly administered.

19. For hundreds of years after the founding of the republic, Rome expanded its territories through conquest & trade. By about 70 B.C. Rome’s Mediterranean possessions stretched from Anatolia in the east to Spain in the west. But expansion created problems for the republic. For decades, Rome alternated between the chaos of civil war & the authoritarian rule of a series of dictators. Eventually the republic collapsed and Augustus became emperor in 27 B.C.

20. Roman Expansion

21. Roman Legacy • Rome gave the world the idea of a republic • Rome’s written legal code – a collection of Roman laws called the 12 Tables that assured that all citizens had a right to the protection of the law. This is important because once laws are written down & agreed upon, the laws cannot be simply made up at the whim of a dictator. • Roman Law – The Romans tried to create a system of laws that could be universally applied throughout the Roman Empire. They believed that laws should be based on principles of reason & justice & should protect citizens & their property. • All citizens had the right to equal treatment under the law • A person was considered innocent until proven guilty • The burden of proof rested with the accuser rather than the accused

22. Judaism The religious beliefs and practices and the way of life of the Jews.

23. Originally called Hebrews • Abraham is considered the “Father of the Hebrews.” • Jews written laws: First five books of Hebrew scripture are called The Torah:Unlike the laws of the Greeks & Romans, the Jewish laws focused more on morality & ethics. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy (first 5 books of modern day Bible) – Written by Moses • Jewish religion was/is monotheistic – Belief in only one God. All other religions before this were polytheistic – Belief in many Gods. • Significance to Democracy: Jews believed that each human being was created in the image of God, therefore, each human being has a unique, individuality. Greeks & Romans believed this not because of God, but rather because of man’s ability to reason. • The Jews also believed that God had given man moral freedom, or the capacity to choose between good & evil, meaning that each person was responsible for his or her choices.

24. The code included rules of social & religious behavior to which even rulers were subject. While the Hebrew code of justice was strict, it was softened by expressions of God’s mercy.

25. Christianity The word Christianity was derived from the name Christ. Yahshua (Jesus in English) was his name. Christ was his title. Christos is a Greek word meaning Savior or Messiah.

26. Christianity’s Significance to Democracy: Jesus stressed the importance of people’s love for God, their neighbors, their enemies and themselves. Ultimately Jesus was persecuted because he was referred to as “The King of The Jews.” He was considered as a political threat to the Roman Empire. After the death of Jesus, his message was preached all throughout the eastern Mediterranean by Saul Of Tarsus (Paul). He stressed the essential equality of all human beings, which is a belief that is central to democracy. Although Christianity was a threat to the Roman Empire, by 380 A.D. it became the official religion of Rome. Eventually, it took root in Europe, The Near East and Northern Africa.

27. Islam - Another monotheistic religion that taught equality of all persons & individual worth. Islam was based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, which are found in the book called the Qur’an. • He emphasized the dignity of all human beings & the brotherhood of all people. • A belief in the bond of community & the unity of all people led to a tolerance of different groups within the community. • Followers of Islam are called Muslims & they are required by their religion to offer charity & help those in need.

28. The Legacy of Monotheistic Religions • Several ideas crucial to the shaping of a democratic outlook emerged from the early monotheistic religions of southwest Asia. • The duty of the individual & the community to combat oppression • The worth of the individual • The equality of people before God

29. Renaissance & Reformation • The Roman Catholic Church • During the Middle Ages it was the Most Dominant institution in Western Europe • Leader – Pope • His Bishops – Parish Priests • It influenced all aspects of life: Religious, Social & Political. It was strongly authoritarian in structure.

30. Renaissance "Renaissance," French for "rebirth," describes the intellectual and economic changes that occurred in Europe from the fourteenth through the sixteenth centuries. the Renaissance was an age in which artistic, social, scientific, and political thought turned in new directions.

31. Humanism Emerges -Books also helped to spread awareness of a new philosophy that emerged when Renaissance scholars known as humanists returned to the works of ancient writers. The humanists rediscovered writings on scientific matters, government, rhetoric, philosophy, and art. Just like the Greeks and Romans they were influenced by the knowledge of these ancient civilizations and by the emphasis placed on man, his intellect, and his life on Earth. Humanists studied classical education such as history, literature and philosophy. These subject are call the humanities.

34. Causes of Reformation Social- Renaissance values of humanism and secularism led people to question Church. Printing press helped spread ideas critical of the church Political-Powerful monarchs challenged the Church for power. Many people viewed the Popes power as a foreign ruler and challenged his authority. Economic- European rulers were Jealous of of Church’s wealth No one wanted to pay taxes to Church Religious- Some Church leaders become corrupt. Many people found the Church practice of selling indulgences unacceptable.

35. THE REFORMATION AGE (1500-1600 AD) • Martin Luther, one of a few men who significantly altered the course of world history, was born in Eisleben, Germany on November 10, 1483. • "The just shall live by faith," Luther came to a climax in his convictions. Men were saved by the grace of God manifested in the forgiveness of their sins and the imputation of Christ's righteousness. • God's grace was given, not on the basis of good works, but on the basis of absolute faith in God's promises. However, this faith, Luther asserted, was wholly the gift of God. • On October 31, 1517 Luther nailed his famous Ninety-five Theses, (95 points of criticism of the church’s practices) to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg. This was the customary manner of calling for a debate, but this act was the spark which exploded the powder keg of the Protestant Reformation. • Those who wanted to reform the Catholic Church were called Protestants, because they protested against the power & abuses of the church. It was significant to democracy because it encouraged people to make their own religious judgments, or read & interpret the Bible for themselves, which in turn caused new churches to be established. It also introduced people to reading & it exposed them to more than just religious ideas.

36. Martin Luther

37. Henry VIII Wants a Son • Was a devout Catholic when he became King • He needed an heir to continue his line on the throne, he only had a girl • Wanted to divorce Catherine and marry younger queen. Catholic church does not allow divorce, but can annul a marriage • Pope said no as he did not want to offend Catherine’s nephew (Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) • Henry asked Parliament to change laws of pope in England which allowed Henry to divorce Catherine. He finally got his son!

38. Catholic Reformation • Society of Jesus (Jesuits) focused on three main ideas • Founded Schools throughout Europe • Convert non-Christians to Catholicism • Missionaries were sent across the world • Stop spread of Protestantism • Catholic Church’s Reforms- Council of Trent • Church’s Interpretation of Bible is final • Christians needed both faith and good works for salvation, faith alone is not enough • Indulgences were a valid expression of faith but it is wrong to sell false indulgences

39. Democratic Developments in England • England began developing democratic institutions that limited the power of the monarchy/king. • Democratic traditions developed in England have influenced many countries, including the U.S.

40. In 1066, William, the Duke of Normandy in France, invaded England & defeated the Anglo-Saxons at the Battle of Hastings. William then claimed the English throne. This set in motion events that led to: • The end of feudalism – the political & economic system of the middle ages • The beginnings of centralized government in England • The development of democracy in England. One of William’s descendants was Henry II, who ruled from 1154 to 1189. He controlled most of the western half of France, as well as all of England. Henry is considered one of the most gifted statesmen of the 12th century. William, the Duke of Normandy Henry II

41. One of Henry’s greatest achievements was the development of the jury trial as a means of administering royal justice. Before then in France & England people were tried in courts of feudal lords. In such courts, the accused would usually have to survive a duel or some physically painful or dangerous ordeal to be set free. Trial by ordeal is a judicial practice by which the guilt or innocence of the accused is determined by subjecting them to a painful task. If either the task is completed without injury, or the injuries sustained are healed quickly, the accused is considered innocent. In this trial by ordeal, a person's innocence is tested by his ability to withstand poison

42. Trial by fire - the suspect had to carry a bar of red-hot iron in his hands while he walked nine marked paces. In the unlikely event of no burns appearing on his hand, he was judged innocent. Otherwise, he was promptly hanged. A variation was licking red-hot iron with the tongue or, sometimes, the suspect had to run barefoot over nine red-hot ploughshares. Ordeal by water the guilty would be cast into a river with a millstone tied to his neck, if he sank, he was guilty. If he floated, he was supported on the surface by a divine miracle, & he was considered innocent.

43. With King Henry, a royal judge would visit each shire, or county, at least once a year. First, the judge would review the crime that had been committed. Then he would ask 12 men, often neighbors of the accused, to answer questions about the facts of the case. These people were known as a jury. Unlike modern juries, they did not decide guilt or innocence. People came to prefer the jury trial to the feudal-court trial because they found it more just. Gradually, England was unified under a single legal system. This was called “Common Law” because it was common to the whole kingdom. Common law reflected customs & principles established over time. Common law became the basis of the legal systems in many English-speaking countries, including the U.S.

44. When Henry II died, his son Richard the Lion Hearted assumed the throne. After him, Richard’s brother John, who was very unpopular, became king. John fought a costly war with France where England lost many of their land holdings in France. John also tried to raise taxes to help pay for the war. Richard John This led to conflict between the English nobles & the King. In 1215 the angry nobles rebelled & forced John to grant guarantees of certain traditional political rights. They presented their demands to him in written form as the MAGNA CARTA (Great Charter) The Magna Carta was a contract between the king & nobles of England. It contained certain important principles that limited the power of the king over all his subjects. It implied the idea that kings had no right to rule in any way they pleased. They had to govern according to the law.

45. The Magna Carta had 63 clauses. 2 Established basic legal rights for individuals. Clause 12 declared that taxes “shall be levied in our kingdom only by the common consent of our kingdom”, which meant that the king had to ask for popular consent before he could tax. Clause 39 declared, “No man shall be arrested or imprisoned…except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.” This meant that a person had the right to a jury trial & to the protection of the law. The right to have the law work in known, orderly ways – is called “Due Process of The Law”. In other words, the king could not willfully, or arbitrarily, punish his subjects.

46. In 1295, King John’s grandson, Edward I, needed money to pay for another war in France. He wanted wide support for the war, so he called together not only lords but also lesser knights & some burgesses, or leading citizens of the towns. Historians refer to this famous gathering as the Model Parliament, because it established a standard for later parliaments. They voted on taxes & helped Edward make reforms & consolidate laws. PARLIAMENT – England’s national legislature Over the next few centuries, Parliament’s “power of the purse”, or its right to approve certain expenses gave it strong influence in governing. The House of Commons (an assembly formed by knights & burgesses, which was the lower house of Parliament) was gradually becoming the equal of the House of Lords. Parliament increasingly viewed itself as a partner with the king in governing. It voted on taxes, passed laws & advised on royal policies.

47. The Enlightenment & Democratic Revolutions Enlightenment Ideas help bring about the American & French Revolutions

48. Before 1500, scholars generally decided what was true or false by referring to an ancient Greek or Roman author or to the Bible. Few European scholars challenged the scientific ideas of the ancient thinkers or the church by carefully observing nature for themselves. The Medieval View – During the Middle Ages, most scholars believed that the earth was an immovable object located at the center of the universe. According to that belief, the moon, the sun, and the planets all moved in perfectly circular paths around the earth. Common sense seemed to support this view. After all, the sun appeared to be moving around the earth as it rose in the morning and set in the evening.

49. This earth centered view of the universe was called the geocentric theory.The idea came from Aristotle, the Greek philosopher of the 4th century B.C. The Greek astronomer Ptolemy (TOL a mee) expanded the theory in the 2nd century A.D. In addition, Christianity taught that God had deliberately placed the earth at the center of the universe. Earth was thus a special place on which the great drama of life unfolded. Aristotle Ptolemy

50. In the 17th & 18th centuries, an intellectual movement called “The Enlightenment” developed. During this period, thinkers attempted to apply the principles of reason & the methods of science to all aspects of society. The Scientific Revolution of the 1500’s & 1600’s was an even more immediate source of Enlightenment thought. New ideas about society & government developed out of it. The Scientific Revolution caused thinkers to rely on their own reasoning instead of merely accepting traditional beliefs. They wanted to apply the scientific method, which relied on observation & testing of theories, to human affairs. Methods used by individuals such as Isaac Newton, who discovered mechanical laws that govern the universe & the methods that go along with discovery. Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws (Laws of Inertia, Action & Reaction, Gravity, Laws of Lunar motion & tides)