Greek Governments
The Greek Polis
• Polis:
city-state
• Each
city-state was
ruled by its own
government
• Citizenship
differed in
each city-state
Colonies
• Areas
settled by a group of people
• Reasons
for creating colonies:
 Overpopulation
 Need for resources & farm land
• Locations:
 Mediterranean Sea
 Black Sea
• Colonies
stayed closely connected
through trade
Red = Greek land
Money!
• Trade
increased
• Production
• Helped
of coins
increase and expand trade
Drachma
Athens
Society
• Focused
on:
 Government
 Education
• Citizenship
Athens
given ONLY to men born in
 Rights: vote, freedom of speech, hold office and
own private property
• Non-citizens:
 Had no rights
women and slaves
Problems in Athens
•
Began as a monarchy, which fell to a group of wealthy
men who took power
•
Farmers began losing jobs & money and began asking for
reforms
•
Ruling class began giving loans
•
People became unhappy and overthrew the government
Tyranny in Athens
• Oligarchy
• Started
power
• People
was replaced by a tyrant
ruling fairly, but eventually abused their
were unhappy because rights were being
taken away
Famous Tyrants
• Draco:
 Created new laws
 Took power away from the wealthy
• Solon:
 Cancelled debts
 Passed immigration laws
 Immigrants could now become citizens
 Let citizens participate in the government
Direct Democracy
• Citizens
given the chance to be a part of
the government
• New
rights:
 Vote on laws & policies
 Freedom of speech
• Assembly:
• Jury:
main governing body
decided on court cases
• Government
debates made public
Sparta
Sparta
• Military-based
• Economy
society
focused on
agriculture
Society
• Citizens:
women
Spartan-born men AND
• Non-citizens:
• Hoplites:
slaves
soldiers
Government
• Oligarchy:
ruled by a few wealthy,
educated men
• Militaristic
government: focused on
keeping a large and powerful
military to keep peace
 Prevented cultural growth and trade
Vocabulary
• Define the following words in
1-2 complete sentences:
Citizen
Reform
Loan
Debt
Debate