Category 1: Greek Democracy Basics
What does "democracy" mean?
A system of government where people rule themselves and have a say in government decisions.
Who were the aristocrats in ancient Athens?
They were rich landowners who held power before the development of democracy.
Who could participate in the Athenian government?
Free men who were citizens and at least 20 years old.
How did citizens participate in the Assembly?
They could speak on political issues and vote on laws.
What does it mean to be a "citizen" in Athens?
A citizen is a free man, at least 20 years old, who has the right to participate in the government.
What is "majority rule"?
It is when the most votes win, and the majority makes the decision.
Who created a set of laws that were less harsh and gave more rights to non-aristocrats?
Solon.
What type of government was in place in Athens before democracy?
An oligarchy, where power was held by a few people, mainly aristocrats.
How were votes cast in the Athenian Assembly?
Votes were cast by a show of hands. Sometimes a ballot.
What rights did Athenian citizens have that non-citizens did not?
Citizens could vote, participate in the Assembly, and hold public office.
In a democracy, who has a voice in government decisions?
Citizens.
Who is called the "Father of Democracy" in Athens?
Cleisthenes.
What was the role of the Assembly in Athens?
It was a meeting where citizens could vote on laws and political decisions.
What would happen during an Assembly meeting?
Citizens would give speeches, express their opinions, and then vote on political issues.
Who was excluded from Athenian citizenship?
Women, slaves, and foreigners.
Which city-state is known for being the birthplace of democracy?
Athens.
How did Cleisthenes change the government in Athens?
He overthrew the aristocrats and introduced a system where citizens had more power in government.
Under Cleisthenes, how did Athens differ from an oligarchy?
Athens became a democracy, where all citizens could participate in the assembly, rather than just a few aristocrats holding power.
What role did Cleisthenes play in the development of the Assembly?
He made sure all citizens had the right to participate in the Assembly and vote on laws.
What role did tyranny play in Athenian government?
Tyrants seized power using force and ruled without the consent of the people, before democracy was fully established.
What is the main difference between a democracy and an oligarchy?
In a democracy, all citizens have a say in government, while in an oligarchy, only a few people hold power.
What was the significance of Solon’s reforms?
Solon’s reforms gave more rights to non-aristocrats and set the stage for the development of democracy.
How did Cleisthenes' reforms change the way decisions were made in Athens?
Cleisthenes made it so that all citizens could vote and have a say in the creation of laws, rather than just the aristocrats.
Why was the Assembly important in Athenian democracy?
It allowed citizens to directly participate in making laws and decisions for the city-state.
How did Cleisthenes ensure that the rights of citizens were protected?
He gave all citizens the right to participate in the Assembly, ensuring their voices were heard in government decisions.