GOVERNMENT BASICS
CHALLENGE
What form of government is ruled by one person, usually a king?
Monarchy
Which form of government usually came first in Greek city-states?
Monarchy
In an oligarchy, how many people hold power?
A few people
In a tyranny, what allowed the leader to rule?
Military force
CHALLENGE
Around what year did Athens develop democracy?
Around 500 B.C.E.
What geographic feature helped different parts of Greece develop different forms of government?
Steep mountains
What form of government is ruled by a small group of people?
Oligarchy
How did most kings in ancient Greece come to power?
They inherited power from a relative
What kind of people usually became oligarchs?
Wealthy men, often aristocrats with land
Who often became tyrants in ancient Greece?
Army leaders
In Athenian democracy, who shared ruling power?
All citizens
What English word comes from a Greek word meaning “few”?
Oligarch
What form of government is ruled by one person who is not a lawful king?
Tyranny
Who advised the king in a monarchy?
A council of aristocrats
Daily Double:
What kinds of laws did oligarchs usually pass?
Laws that favored the rich
Daily Double
Why were some tyrants well liked at first?
They made laws that improved people’s lives
In Athens, what could citizens do in the Assembly?
Speak and vote on laws or proposals
CHALLENGE
What kind of democracy did Athens use?
Direct democracy
What form of government gives ruling power to the citizens?
Democracy
RISK IT OR PASS IT
What happened to the king’s advisers after the king lost power?
They became the new ruling group
RISK IT OR PASS IT
Who helped throw the oligarchs out of power?
Army leaders and poor people
What did some tyrants promise to gain support from the people?
More rights and changes to help the poor
How was Athenian democracy different from democracy in the United States today?
Citizens in Athens voted directly on every issue
Daily Double
What kind of democracy does the United States use?
Representative democracy
What is the name of the lawmaking group in Athens where citizens could speak and vote?
The Assembly
About what years did most Greek city-states have monarchies?
About 2000 B.C.E. to 800 B.C.E.
What might an oligarch do on an ordinary day instead of working in the fields?
Take part in a chariot race
About what years were many Greek city-states ruled by tyrants?
About 650 B.C.E. to 500 B.C.E.
Why did some Greeks think democracy was not always a good idea?
Powerful speakers could persuade people to vote unwisely, and decisions could change quickly
Risk It Or Pass It
Why did some Greeks think democracy was not always a good idea?
Powerful speakers could persuade people to vote unwisely, and decisions could change quickly.
What was the name of the tyrant who used power in cruel and unfair ways after taking control during a time of war?
Dionysius of Syracuse I