4.2 citizens and government

• History
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1

AGE 2. The Time of Greeks and Romans

4.2 Citizens and government

What is this lesson about?

In Ancient Greece, the drawing of lots was considered democratic, and elections aristocratic. 

In Athens, daily affairs were taken care of by the boule, a council of 500 individuals. 

Larger matters were dealt with by the ecclesia, the people’s assembly. 

Bad politicians could be put on trial or banished by ostracism.

What you can explain /  do after this lesson

• explain the term democracy
• explain what forms of government the Greek poleis had
• explain the two democratic assemblies in Athens
• explain the term ostracism 
• explain the difference between a direct and an indirect democracy

Finished with this lesson? Then check if you can answer these questions in your own words. 

Word Duty

Democracy: system of government where the people (demos) are in charge

Aristocracy: system of government where the best (aristos) or nobles are in charge

Citizenship: set of rights and obligations between a country and its people

Ecclesia: general assembly where all citizens gathered

Boule: council of 500 citizens in Athens that carried out everyday governing activities

Strategoi: jobs for which people were elected, for instance ship captains and generals

Ostracism: vote to ban someone from Athens

Monarchy: a country that has a king or a queen

Link to WRTS wordlist for all the other difficult words: WRTS HISTORY

KEY WORDS

1. Intro questions (recap)

a. When a text is about gods and beliefs it is about:

1. culture
2. religion
3. politics
4. economics

b. When a text is about trade and money, it is about:

1. culture
2. religion
3. politics
4. economics

c. When a text is about art, fashion, poetry,
architecture etc., it is about:

1. culture
2. religion
3. politics
4. economics

d. When a text is about government and laws, it is about:

1. culture
2. religion
3. politics
4. economics

1e. This lesson is about:

1. culture
2. religion
3. politics
4. economics

First make a note in your notebook.

New page: write down and fill in the gaps:

Lesson 4.2 Citizens and Government 

In history lessons we deal with several aspects of societies, for example:

religion:       this is about gods and beliefs.

culture:        this is about _______________________

politics:        this________________________________

economy:    ___________________________________

This lesson deals with politics.

Before you read the text in your textbook, take some time 

to watch the following video.

The video is interactive. That means that sometimes the video will pause and you need to answer a question.

00:24

a monarchy is hereditary.

(yes, you need to look up the word hereditary yourself...)

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

00:33

aristocrats were usually the

1. the richest people
2. the smartest people
3. the strongest people
4. the tallest people

00:46

a tyrant was elected by the other aristocrats

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

01:10

democracy

aristocracy

monarchy

tyranny

the best rule

power is taken by force

the people rule

a king rules

Make a note in your notebook about what you 

learned from the video

Different Greek poleis had different political systems.

For example, a polis could be a:

monarchy:    ______________________________________________

aristocracy:   ______________________________________________

tyranny:         ______________________________________________

democracy:  ______________________________________________

2a What kind of political system do we have in
the Netherlands today?

1. we are a monarchy
2. we are a democracy
3. we are a democracy, but also a monarchy
4. we are an aristocracy

2b. How can we be a democracy and also a monarchy at the same time?

1. The people elect the king
2. The king has no real power. Power is in the hands of the people.
3. The king rules together with the people
4. the king rules in the name of the people

You've heard the word parliament several times.
What is a parliament?

1. the king and his family
2. the government
3. all people with voting rights
4. the people's representatives

4b. In the following words, part of the word missing. For each column it is the same part. Which part is missing?
A . B. C.

about Rights and Obligations:

read the following statements:

I. a right is something that you are entitled to.
II. an obligation is something that you must do.

1. Only I is correct
2. Only II is correct
3. I and II are both correct
4. I and II are both wrong

5b. What is citizenship?

5c. In Athens, who could become citizens?

1. women
2. men
3. slaves
4. foreigners

00:15

Before Athens became a democracy, it was a(n):

1. monarchy
2. tyranny
3. aristocracy

00:47

Cleistenes was the leader who gave more power to the people. Why is that surprising?

01:14

What change did Pericles make in the democratic system?

He decided that every citizen:

1. should pay money in order to have the right to vote.
2. got money if they voted for him
3. got money if they elected a new assembly
4. got money if they attended the general assembly

01:15

Did Pericles make Athens more or less democratic?
Explain your answer.

01:43

Explain the difference between a direct democracy and an indirect democracy in your own words.

13. Fill in the scheme by dragging the terms  to the right place.

the people

allotment

demo

cracy

election

aristo

cracy

the

best

8. Why did the Athenians introduce ostracism?

9a. In this exercise you will practise Skill 7: Drawing
conclusions from studying sources and Skill 9:
Facts, opinions and arguments. Use the source.

What polis is the speaker from? How can you tell?
Use a quote in your answer.

9b. Does the speaker give his opinion about his polis, or is he stating facts?

1. opinion
2. facts

9c. Explain your answer of the previous question


Why fact or why opinion?

10. The German painter who created source 3.21 in
"Assemblies" shows Pericles as a very respected general.

How does the painter show his respect for Pericles?

11. Do you think the person who wrote the name on the
ostrakon in source 3.23 in "Elections in Athens" would
agree that Pericles was a great general?
Explain your answer.

12. In this exercise you will practise Skill 5: Recognising the influence of the past.
Discuss with a partner (Skype?): what are the differences between our modern Dutch democracy and the Athenian democracy?

12a. Read "The government of Sparta", or listen:

Who led the Spartan government?

12b. What is this type of government called?

12c. What did Spartan citizens call each other?

Write down one question about something from this lesson that you find difficult.

Your answers will be discussed in the Google Meet session. 

So be as clear as possible. Don't answer: "I don't understand question 12". 

Explain what you need to know. 

congratulations: FINISHED

But you can check out the next videos for extra information about this subject.