2.2 Ancient Democracy - TEACH -

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

AGE 2. The Time of Greeks and Romans

2.2 Ancient Democracy

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

KEY WORDS

1. Intro questions.

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, power 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.

Lesson 2.2: Ancient democracy.

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

• religion:       this is about gods and beliefs.
• culture:        this is about art, fashion, poetry, architecture etc.
• politics:        this is about government, power and laws
• economy:    this is about trade and money

• Lesson 2.2 deals with politics.

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 

Different Greek poleis had different political systems.

For example, a polis could be a:

• monarchy:    a king rules
• aristocracy:   a group of rich people rule
• tyranny:         someone takes power by force and rules
• democracy:  the people rule

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

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

3a. Read the intro, p 59 or listen:

You see 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

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.

congratulations: FINISHED

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

Lesson 3.3 Ancient Democracy

While many poleis were ruled by one man, a king, the people of Athens came with a new political system.

They called it: DEMOCRACY

Demos =   the people

Cratein=   to rule

So democracy is: rule by the people.

Today, our country is a democracy too.

Lesson 3.3 Ancient Democracy

other ways to rule a city / state:

MONARCHY:  one person has all the power. That person is a                                 KING (monarch)

ARISTOCRACY: power is in the hands of a small group of rich                             men called NOBLES (edelen) or ARISTOCRATS

Lesson 3.3 Ancient Democracy

Democracy in Athens

Who had power? Athenian Citizens

Who were citizens? Athenian men (women, slaves and foreigners could not be citizens).

Citizens had rights (vote), and obligations (serve in the army)

Important decisions were made in the general assembly (ecclsesia).

Because not everybody had time for politics every day, there was a smaller council of 500 citizens (boule), that dealt with everyday governing.