Athenian Democratic Reformers - PowerPoint Presentation

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Athenian Democratic ReformersSlide2

Democracy -

Demos

(“people”) +

kratein

(“to rule”)Developed through various reformsThe Greek Reformers & Philosophers:4th century B.C.E. in Athens, great thinkers appeared.Used logic and reason to investigate the nature of the universe, human society, and morality. The Greeks’ respect for human intelligence and power of reason allowed the ideas of Democracy to flourish. Human ability to reason simply means that humans can question and analyze the world around them to come up with the best decision out of a variety of possibilities. Without faith that humans can reason, democracy can not function.

Athenian Democratic ReformersSlide3

DracoSlide4

Draco

621 B.E.C. - Athenian noble elected to lead Athenian Assembly

1

st

in series of reformers that helped transform Athens from an aristocracy (government of the rich) to a democracy…took almost 200 years!Credited with putting down first written laws of Athens (prior – only verbal, making it difficult for all citizens to know what they could and could not do)Severe (modern English term draconian meaning “severe” or “harsh”)Written “in blood, not ink”Written laws meant that judges could not show favoritism or make up lawsSlide5

S

olonSlide6

Solon

594 B.C.E. – 2

nd

reformer that helped transform Athens from an aristocracy to a democracy

Rewrote Draco’s lawsHelped the poorAll male citizens had right to voteEstablished new, more representative assembly of citizens to make political decisions. Had 400 members chosen by lot (Lottery)Ended debt enslavementCanceled land mortgagesLimited amount of land a person could ownIn the US, which laws or policies benefit the poor?Slide7

ClisthenesSlide8

Clisthenes

508 B.C.E. – Determined to establish a democracy

Enlarged Athenian Assembly created by Solon

R

emoved aristocrats from leadership positionsCreated Council of 500 to represent the different classesCreated and administered laws after they were approved by AssemblyOfficials were electedExecutive power Ten generals called strategi (singular strategus)Elected for one yearCitizenship granted to some freedmen (former slaves) and to some immigrantsOstracism Names written on ostrakon once a yearMost votes = ten years of exileSlide9

Pericles

461 B.C.E. - Pericles

came into power following the Persian Wars and continued to develop democracy in Athens

.

Strengthened Greek democracy by increasing the number of paid public officials and by paying jurors. This enabled poorer citizens to participate in government. Through greater citizen participation, Athens evolved into a direct democracy. This is a form of government in which citizens rule and make laws directly rather than through representatives. The Acropolis, the center of political and religious life for Athenians…which we will tour later, and other buildings were either built or influenced by Pericles.Oh…and he had a mistress…AspasiaSlide10

Effects of Reformers

The result of the tyrants and reformers was the creation of the most democratic government in world history. All officials were chosen by lottery; the revised assembly had full and final authority of the making and execution of laws; juries were comprised of all citizens who chose to take part in the trials.

By the middle of the 5

th

century B.C., Athens had developed into a direct democracy.

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citizens were males, 18 years old, fathers had to be citizens

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legislative branch passes laws

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executive branch carries out laws

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judicial branch conducts trials with paid jurors