Unit 1: Foundations of Democracy Unit 1 Essential Questions: 1. Which form of government is the most effective and the most just? 2. How did Greco-Roman.

Unit 1: Foundations of DemocracyUnit 1 Essential Questions: 1. Which form of government is the most effective and the most just?

2. How did Greco-Roman political philosophy, monotheistic moral teachings, and political reforms in medieval England influence the development of democratic values?

Learning Target: I can explain how leaders of ancient Athens developed elements of a democratic political system and contrast it with Sparta’s military-centered society.

During the Lecture: 1. Participate in all discussions and activities. 2. Write at least 2 questions, answers or comments on-line.

HW: Unit 1 Packet.

Pair/Share: Discuss the statement below. Come up with a possible explanation of what each quote means + examples from the past or present to back up your explanation.

“Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny* and slavery out of the most extreme liberty.”

Plato

The Ancient Greeks: Athens vs. Sparta

Classical Age of Greece (700 – 323 B.C.E)

Main Importance: Produced political, cultural & philosophical precedents which were key foundations for Western Civilization

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700 B.C.E. 2015 C.E.1 C.E.

Timeline

BCE = Before Common Era = BC = Before Christ

CE = Common Era = AD = Anno Domini (Year of Our Lord)

Greek city-states

Athens vs. Sparta:Democracy (rule by the

people) vs. oligarchy (rule by the few)

DIFFERENT VALUESAthenian Values

Individuality Beauty Freedom

Spartan Values Strength Duty Disciplin

e

Athenian Culture: Art and Beauty• Athens valued art,

beauty and the free exchange of ideas above all.

• Architecture, sculpture, paintings, vases, poetry, theater– these were central to Athenian culture.

• Keeping oneself fit was important. Athenians celebrated the natural beauty and abilities of the human body in sports and sculpture.

• New, democratic ideas emerge from Athenian culture and society:– Direct Democracy:

Citizens elected their own representatives.

– Public Debate: Became an art in Athens to discuss and argue specifics of government.

– Duties of the Citizen: All citizens had responsibilities such as voting, participating in the government process.

Athenian Government

Types of governments in Ancient Greece

First Steps towards democracy: Rule by the people.

• Solon: Athenian ruler who around 600 BCE introduced 4 classes of citizens (around 10% of the population) with voting power based on wealth (not heredity).

• Result? Political power shifted away from an aristocracy (rule by a few families which pass it down to their children) to a sort of meritocracy—Rule by the most qualified.

• Cleisthenes: Athenian ruler who in 507 BCE created a general assembly of all property owning men of Athens (still not a majority of the population, but more than under Solon). One free man = one vote. The assembly met regularly to decide on important issues for the city.

• Voting power (full citizenship) expanded to around 20% of the population.

• Result? Direct democracy: A system of rule in which citizens directly vote on every important decision.

Socrates469-399 B.C.E.

Plato 427-347 B.C.E.

3 Athenian Philosophers

Had faith in an individual’s ability to seek truth by applying reason and logic.

Explored a variety of topics including government, science, and math.

Did not believe in what Americans would call “democracy” but their ideas influenced its development.

Aristotle—Societies should be ruled by the middle classes. The rich are too greedy and the poor too debased (degenerate).

Plato—Societies should be ruled by philosopher kings: Specially trained leaders known for their wisdom and fairness.

Aristotle 384-322 B.C.E.

Discuss with partner, then write on the board

Pick one, then one of you come on up to the board! It’s OK to guess. Either:

– Write a modern day example of direct democracy (left board).OR

– Write a pro or a con of direct democracy (right board).

SPARTA- A CITY OF WARRIORS

Main focus: War and preparing for war.

Why so strict? An early slave revolt led the Spartans to create strict laws that demanded strong obedience to the state.

• Limited artistic culture; war skills were the main priority.

Sparta

It was here:

SPARTA

SPARTA- RISE OF THE OLIGARCHY– olig (few) – arche (rule)

• Rule by a few.• Sparta was controlled by a king or by

an oligarchy, usually high ranking military officials.

• Citizens were not encouraged to speak freely.

HOW THEY WERE RULED• Not allowed to travel.• Xenophobic: Outsiders not

welcome.• Discouraged from studying

philosophy, literature, or arts.

CULTURE• Sparta was a military culture.

• Everything went towards developing and fielding a strong army.

• Children were taught at home until they were seven• At 7, they began their physical and

military training.• At 13, they were dropped off deep in

the woods in groups with nothing. They had to survive (without theft) and make it home to pass the test.

PLUTARCH ON THE SPARTANS

"They learned reading and writing for basic needs, but all the rest of their education was to make them well-disciplined and steadfast in hardship and victorious in battle. For this reason, as boys grew older, the Spartans intensified their training, cutting their hair short and making them used to walking barefoot and for the most part playing naked. When the boys reached the age of twelve, they no longer had tunics to wear, but got one cloak a year. Their bodies were tough and unused to baths and lotions. They enjoyed such luxury only a few special days a year. They slept, in packs, on beds which they got together on their own, made from the tops of the rushes to be found by the river Eurotas. These they broke off with their bare hands, not using knives."

MILITARY• Men married at the age of 20.

• Had to live in barracks for ten years.

• At the age of 30, men could finally move home and were full citizens.

• They still ate every meal in the military dining hall, where the food was sparse and plain. Spartans saw luxury as weakness.

Women in Sparta/AthensA Spartan mother would say to her son as he goes off to war: “Return with your shield, or on it.”

• Girls in Sparta were to grow up to be the mothers of warriors. • Although they were not allowed to fight, Spartan girls took

part in all the same training as boys because fit women produced fit male warriors.

• Spartan women had equal property rights and since so many men died in battle, many ended up running businesses, farms, etc. Some became wealthy.

• In Athens, women had almost no property rights, and were not considered important members of society by most men.