Table of Contents
How did Athens contribute to democracy?
Athenian democracy developed around the fifth century B.C.E. The Greek idea of democracy was different from present-day democracy because, in Athens, all adult citizens were required to take an active part in the government. When a new law was proposed, all the citizens of Athens had the opportunity to vote on it.
What did Pericles do to increase democracy in Athens?
Pericles set about toppling the Areopagus (ar-ee-OP-uh-guhs), or the noble council of Athens, in favor of a more democratic system that represented the interests of the people. He introduced the practice of paying citizens to serve on juries, which allowed poor men to leave work and participate in the justice system.
How did cleisthenes make Athens more democratic?
In the year 507 B.C., the Athenian leader Cleisthenes introduced a system of political reforms that he called demokratia, or “rule by the people” (from demos, “the people,” and kratos, or “power”). The Greek system of direct democracy would pave the way for representative democracies across the globe.
How was the Athenian democracy organized?
Greek democracy created at Athens was direct, rather than representative: any adult male citizen over the age of 20 could take part, and it was a duty to do so. The officials of the democracy were in part elected by the Assembly and in large part chosen by lottery in a process called sortition.
How is the legacy of Athenian democracy reflected in our present day democracy in the United States?
The principles behind the ancient Greeks’ democratic system of government are still in use today. The United States and many other countries throughout the modern world have adopted democratic governments to give a voice to their people. Democracy provides citizens the opportunity to elect officials to represent them.
Why did Athens and Sparta agree to a truce?
After the Persian War, Athens and Sparta had agreed to a Thirty Year Peace. They didn’t want to fight each other while they were trying to recover from the Persian War. During this time, Athens became powerful and wealthy and the Athenian empire grew under the leadership of Pericles.
What is needed for a democracy to work?
Cornerstones of democracy include freedom of assembly, association and speech, inclusiveness and equality, citizenship, consent of the governed, voting rights, freedom from unwarranted governmental deprivation of the right to life and liberty, and minority rights.