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PROLOGUE: The Rise of Democratic Ideas
Lesson 2
Judeo-Christian Tradition
Key Terms and People
Judaism religion of the Israelites and Jews
Ten Commandments written code of laws
Christianity religion founded by Jesus
Islam religion based on the teachings of Muhammad
Roman Catholic Church church that developed from Christianity
Renaissance cultural movement that started in Italy in the 1300s and spread
throughout Europe
Reformation religious reform movement that began in the 16th century
Before You Read
In the last lesson, you read about the development of democracy in
Greece and Rome.
In this lesson, you will learn about the teachings of Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam.
As You Read
Use a chart to list one contribution to democracy from Judaism,
Christianity, Islam, the Renaissance, and the Reformation.
JUDAIsm focused more on morality and ethics than
What is Judaism? they did on politics.
The Israelites were the ancient people The Israelites believed in acting
who developed Judaism. Unlike other responsibly toward each other. They
groups of people around them, Israelites thought that the community should help
believed in one God. They also believed the less fortunate. Prophets were leaders
that God gave people the freedom to and teachers believed by the Jews to be
choose between good and evil. So, each messengers from God. They hoped for a
person was responsible for his or her world without poverty or injustice.
own choices. These beliefs led to a new 1. What are two beliefs of Judaism?
emphasis on the worth of the individual.
The Israelites came to be known as
the Jews. They wrote a code of laws that
includes the Ten Commandments. The
Bible says that God gave these laws to
Moses on Mount Sinai. These laws
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Guided Reading Workbook
Name______________________________ Class ________________________ Date _____________
Lesson 2, continued
Christianity places, Muslims had to tolerate their
How did Christianity start? neighbors’ religious practices.
Jesus was born around 6 to 4 BC. At 3. Why did Muslims tolerate Jews
this time, the Romans ruled Judea, the and Christians?
homeland of the Jews. Jesus preached
the importance of people’s love for God,
their neighbors, their enemies, and
themselves.
In the first century after Jesus’s death,
his followers started a new religion based R
on his messages. It was called Christianity.
The apostle Paul was important in How did the renaissance and
spreading this religion. He preached that reformation help democracy?
all human beings were equal. The Roman Catholic Church was the
The Romans were against both church that developed from early
Judaism and Christianity. But these Christianity. By the Middle Ages, it was
religions spread throughout the Roman the most powerful institution in Europe.
Empire. When the Jews rebelled against It influenced all parts of life.
the Romans, they were forced from their In the 1300s, a cultural movement
homeland. The Jews then fled to many called the Renaissance spread through
parts of the world. They carried their Europe. Artists focused on capturing
beliefs with them. individual character. Explorers went out
The emperor Constantine ended the to find new lands. Merchants took many
Roman persecution of Christians. He risks to gain huge wealth.
believed God helped him in battle. By The Renaissance also led people to
380, Christianity had become the question the Church. This questioning
empire’s official religion. caused the Reformation, a protest
2. Why did the Romans stop movement against the power of the
persecuting Christians? Church. It started in Germany as a call
for reform. It ended up producing a new
division of Christianity—Protestantism.
In Protestant faiths, the clergy did not
have special powers. People could find
their own way to God. They could read
IS and interpret the Bible for themselves.
Who are Muslims? The Reformation broke apart the
The religion of Islam developed in religious unity of Europe. It challenged
southwest Asia in the early 600s. The the authority of Catholic monarchs and
prophet Muhammad taught tolerance popes. It contributed to the growth of
and respect. democracy.
Followers of Islam are called Muslims. 4. Where did the Reformation begin?
Their holy book is called the Qur’an. In
Muslim law, rulers had to follow the
same laws as the people they ruled.
Jews and Christians sometimes lived
in areas ruled by Muslims. In these
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Guided Reading Workbook
Name______________________________ Class ________________________ Date _____________
Lesson 2, continued
As you read about religious traditions and reactions to them, fill in the
chart to identify the democratic ideas that arose from each.
Influence on the Rise of Democratic Ideas
1. Judaism
2. Christianity
3. Islam
4. Renaissance
5. Reformation
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Guided Reading Workbook
