Origins of Democracy
In which ancient city did democracy first develop?
Ancient Athens
Which principle means citizens are treated fairly by the laws?
Equality under law.
Name the three main social classes in ancient Athens.
Citizens, metics, and slaves.
What does “majority rule” mean in a democracy?
The option that gets more than half of the votes wins.
What kind of rulers did Athenians want to replace when they created democracy?
Authoritarian (harsh) rulers / authoritarian rule.
Which principle means laws protect people’s rights and guide fair decisions?
Justice
Which group: citizens, metics, or slaves – could participate fully in government?
Citizens (free-born Athenian men).
Name one government body in Athens
(any one): Boule, Ecclesia, or Dikasteria.
What is the name for the type of democracy where citizens vote directly on laws?
Direct democracy.
Which principle means citizens have rights to speak and act within the law?
Freedom
Which group were foreign residents with limited rights, who could not vote?
Metics.
What was the purpose of using a lottery in Athenian democracy?
To choose officials randomly so that any citizen, rich or poor, could serve.
In ancient Athens, which group of people was required to participate in government?
All male citizens.
Which principle means citizens have a voice in government, directly or through others?
Representation
Which group had no political rights and could be owned by others?
Slaves
Name two features of Athenian direct democracy
Lottery to select officials
Debate of proposed laws
Secret ballots
Majority rule through voting
Separate government bodies (Boule, Ecclesia, Dikasteria)
Explain in one sentence why democracy developed in Athens (what problem it tried to solve).
Democracy developed in Athens to give citizens a say in government and to replace harsh authoritarian rule.
Name two principles of democracy and explain why each is important.
Equality under law is important so all citizens are treated fairly.
Freedom is important so citizens can share ideas and opinions without fear.
Explain how social class affected who was a citizen and who was a non‑citizen in ancient Athens.
Only free-born Athenian men were citizens with political rights, while metics and slaves were non‑citizens with limited or no political rights.
What were equal political rights for male citizens in Athens? Give one example.
Equal political rights meant male citizens could take part in government; for example, they had freedom of speech in the assembly and the right to vote.