The Rise of Democracy
SS.6.W.3.2 & SS.6.C.1.1
Monarchy: 2,000 - 800 B.C.E.
 Ruling power is in the hands of one
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person, usually a king
Usually the oldest son would
inherit the throne from his father.
Kings of ancient Greece had many
powers.
They made laws, acted as judges,
conducted religious ceremonies,
and led the army during wars.
By about 800 B.C.E. aristocrats in
most city-states overthrew the
monarchy and took power for
themselves
Aristocrat: a member of a wealthy
and powerful class of people
Oligarchy: 800 – 650 B.C.E.
 Ruling power is in the hands
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of a few people
In the case of Greece, it was
usually a few wealthy men.
Under oligarchs, rich became
richer and poor became
poorer.
Eventually, the poor turned
to leaders, usually from the
military, who promised to
improve their lives.
Backed by the people, these
leaders used their soldiers to
overthrow the oligarchs.
Tyranny: 650 – 500 B.C.E.
 Around the mid 600s B.C.E. people
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in many Greek city-states turned to
men who promised to change the
government.
These men became known as
tyrants.
Tyranny: ruling power in the hands
of one person who is not a lawful
king
Tyrants usually took and kept
control by force.
Many tyrants ruled well and did
much to help the people, but others
abused their power and were
eventually forced out by the
people.
Democracy: 500 B.C.E. – Present?
 After the people of Athens
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overthrew the tyrant, they
decided to govern themselves.
They developed democracy
which means rule by the people.
All citizens in a democracy share
ruling power.
The city had an assembly or
lawmaking group where any
free man could speak and vote.
Women and slaves were not
considered citizens and
therefore could not vote.
Democracy Yesterday and Today
 Ancient Greek democracy
was different from
democracy today.
 The government of Athens
was a direct democracy
where every citizen can vote
on every issue.
 The United States today is a
representative democracy
where people vote for
representatives (senators,
congressmen, etc.) who
decide issues in their name.