Democratic Concepts Chart
Directions: Use your knowledge from the lesson to fill in the missing
content in the charts below. Once you have completed your charts, be
sure to answer the focus question at the bottom of the page.
Tracing the roots of the American political process to Athens
Ancient Greece was made up of a lot of different poleis or city-states.
While they shared a common language, religion, and culture, each city-
state had its own laws and its own government. Use your knowledge of
the four basic types of government to complete the missing boxes on
your first chart.
What is it Monarchy Tyrant Oligarchy Democracy
called?
Who ruled Government A strong A The
it? by a single man who government government
person ruled that is led of the
alone. by a small people that
group of also work
people who for the
exercise people.
control.
How did They got Usually to The power Ruled by all
they get their power by for these its free
their power by force rested in a citizens
power? Usually small group
fighting in noble by of families
battles and birth, but
conquest. had
support of
the poor
How did They kept Their They kept Ruling hand
they keep their power power died their power in the power
their from them with them by enforcing of the people
power? selves laws
because no
one led
them.
The road to democracy in ancient Athens was long and full of challenges.
Four key figures, however, played an especially important role. Use your
knowledge of the four key figures of Athenian government to complete
the missing boxes on your second chart.
Who are the Draco Solon Cleisthenes Pericles
key figures?
What I am an I am I am I am
contribution Athenian Solon Cleisthenes Pericles I
s did I make lawmaker and I I set the argued
on the road who
to introduced
canceled minim age that sailors
democracy? the first dept for to be an and
(You must written code farmers archon at soldiers
add at least of law in that 30. should be
two ancient owed a paid for
contribution Greece. I lot of their
s to the spelled out money. service.
blank boxes) the
consequence
s of breaking
the laws.
How did my My My laws I taught the My
contribution contributio became belief that contribution
change n the citizens have s gave more
government? foundation a power to the
changed of responsibilit people and
the Athenian y to vote on led to
governmen democracy all matters. Athens’s
t because, I . Golden Age
removed
power from
the
aristocratic
families
The ancient Athenians played a role in how the United States
government was established. Its laws and government served as models
for countries in the modern world. For example, the idea of two
legislative bodies reflects influence from ancient Greece. Use your
knowledge of the role played by Ancient Athens on how the United
States government was established to complete the missing boxes on
your third chart.
Athenian Athenian American American
Government Concept Democracy Democracy
Concept
The Archon Athens set 30 The President The United
years as the States set 35
minimum age to years as the
be an archon. minimum age to
be president.
The Council of The council which The congress The U.S. Senate
500 consisted of 500 has two people
people ensured the
to represent
same number of
the representatives each state.
for all 10 tribes
Assembly The assembly House of The
was made up of Representatives Constitution
the house of gave Congress
representatives the power to
determine the
size of the
House and to
divide
representation
according to
state
population.
States with large
populations
have more
representatives
than small
states.
The Law and Ancient, Athens, Judicial system The U.S. uses
Courts and the U.S used judges and
judges and juries
juries. The U.S.
has 12 jurors
per case.
Direct Every citizen Representative/ In the U.S they do
democracy had to vote on Indirect not have a direct
democracy.
every issue. Democracy
Decisions were
made based on a
consensus from
the majority of
voters.
Citizenship Citizenship was citizens Over the years,
limited limited to 18 year the laws have
old males that
been changed to
were land owners
allow citizens
who were non-
landowners,
former slaves,
Native
Americans, and
women to vote.
In 1965, the
Voting Rights
Act was passed
to support
minorities and
remove the
literacy
requirements
for voting.
Focus Question: How important of a role did the ideas from ancient
Greek civilizations play in the development of the American political
process? I think it played a big role because, if we didn’t know about the
ideas from ancient Greek civilizations, we wouldn’t know how they play
in the development of the American political process. Ancient Greek
civilizations also played an important roll because, if it wasn’t for them
we wouldn’t have the type of government we have now, and people
wouldn’t be safe. Greek civilizations are similar to our government today
because, during the Greek civilizations people could read books listen to
music etc.. just like we do today.
