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The Rise of Democracy. SS.6.W.3.2 & SS.6.C.1.1. Monarchy: 2,000 - 800 B.C.E. Ruling power is in the hands of one person, usually a king Usually the oldest son would inherit the throne from his father. Kings of ancient Greece had many powers.
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The Rise of Democracy SS.6.W.3.2 & SS.6.C.1.1
Monarchy: 2,000 - 800 B.C.E. • Ruling power is in the hands of one person, usually a king • Usually the oldest son would inherit the throne from his father. • Kings of ancient Greece had many powers. • They made laws, acted as judges, conducted religious ceremonies, and led the army during wars. • By about 800 B.C.E. aristocrats in most city-states overthrew the monarchy and took power for themselves • Aristocrat: a member of a wealthy and powerful class of people
Oligarchy: 800 – 650 B.C.E. • Ruling power is in the hands of a few people • In the case of Greece, it was usually a few wealthy men. • Under oligarchs, rich became richer and poor became poorer. • Eventually, the poor turned to leaders, usually from the military, who promised to improve their lives. • Backed by the people, these leaders used their soldiers to overthrow the oligarchs.
Tyranny: 650 – 500 B.C.E. • Around the mid 600s B.C.E. people in many Greek city-states turned to men who promised to change the government. • These men became known as tyrants. • Tyranny: ruling power in the hands of one person who is not a lawful king • Tyrants usually took and kept control by force. • Many tyrants ruled well and did much to help the people, but others abused their power and were eventually forced out by the people.
Democracy: 500 B.C.E. – Present? • After the people of Athens overthrew the tyrant, they decided to govern themselves. • They developed democracy which means rule by the people. • All citizens in a democracy share ruling power. • The city had an assembly or lawmaking group where any free man could speak and vote. • Women and slaves were not considered citizens and therefore could not vote.
Democracy Yesterday and Today • Ancient Greek democracy was different from democracy today. • The government of Athens was a direct democracy where every citizen can vote on every issue. • The United States today is a representative democracy where people vote for representatives (senators, congressmen, etc.) who decide issues in their name.