Ancient Ancient GreeceGreece

Homework Questions 1. What is a city-state?

A small, isolated community with its own government

2. Why did Greece develop city-states?

The mountainous terrain made communication & transportation difficult, so cities developed as independent governments.

Homework Questions

3. Describe two forms of government, which developed in Greek city-states:

Monarchy – Gov. ruled by a king or monarch

Aristocracy – Gov. ruled by a small, privileged upper class

4. What is a direct democracy? Does the United States currently have a direct democracy? Why or why not?

Direct Democracy – All citizens participate in government (For example, in Athens all male citizens took turns serving on the governing “Assembly”.)

No, the U.S. is not a Direct Democracy, because we do not all make decisions in government. Instead, we elect people to make decisions for us. What is that called?

Homework Questions Republic = Representative Democracy – A Gov. in

which people elect representatives to run government for them (Example: The U.S. has a republic/rep. democracy, because we elect the President and Members of Congress.)

5. What is a limited democracy? Does the U.S. currently have a limited democracy? Why or why not?

Limited democracy – not all people can participate in government (In Athens, women, slaves, and people born outside of Athens could not participate)

No, we do not have a limited democracy. All citizens can participate if they want to.

Homework Questions

6. Name two Greek philosophers and describe their ideas.

Socrates: people should learn through answering questions and proving the beliefs with reason (Socratic method); Code of Conduct – citizens must obey law

Plato: Justice for all; Philosophers as kings

Aristotle: Logic – using evidence & reason to determine the truth; Moral behavior & moderation

Question: Other new VOCABULARY words?

Create a T-Chart listing the similarities between the Greek and US systems of government. Refer to the reading you did for today and be as specific as possible.

Title: Similarities between Greek and US Government

Greece US

Athens (Greece) US Monarchy (kings), at first

Direct democracy

Citizenship to have rights

Equality under the law

Right & Duty to participate in government

Limited democracy: slavery, women and foreigners = no political rights

Monarchy initially: Great Britain

Direct democracy (Puritans town meetings, ballot initiative) Today, though, we have a Republic

Citizenship to have rights (to vote)

Equality under the law (politicians can be removed and put in jail)

Voting, Jury Duty, Military service

Limited democracy: Slaves, women & Native Americans couldn’t vote at first

Both ancient Greece and the US are democratic systems of government.

Enrichment Question:

Discuss and write down the advantages and disadvantages of a democratic system of government.