Greece Democracy Inquiry Question Was Athenian democracy fair

Greece: Democracy Inquiry Question: Was Athenian democracy fair and just? CHW 3 M March 2018 The glass of power

HW: Check that you can answer these questions based on your hw 1. What do “national literature and religion” refer to? – – 2. 3. How did these two things help Greeks come out of the dark ages? What is the significance of a glorious past? What skills did the Greeks learn from others as a result of increased foreign contact? How did the Olympics help unify the Greeks?

The Glass of Power At different times, different groups of people had access to power = got to drink from the glass. Some never had access: women + slaves + foreigners. “Read” the glass from the bottom up because the water starts at the bottom↓ • Poor men came last. • Hoplites (ordinary men who had served in the military) finally got to drink. • Wealthy non-aristocrats got some water! • Nobles/aristocrats followed. • Monarchs drank first.

Historical Perspectives on Democracy – Balancing Views Athenian View l But they left out such a huge portion of the population. Can that really be democratic? Modern Canadian View l We’re not supposed to judge the past by our values.

Political Developments l Monarchy – – Some city-states had kings But they didn’t have total power Aristocrats (nobles whose wealth came from owning land) served as their advisors At this point, who was in and who was out of the “glass of power”?

Political l Aristocracy – – – Aristocrats had arbitrary (random) power They were the backbone of the military because they could afford the equipment No written laws Some non-aristocratic people were also wealthy but didn’t have the same privileges At this point, who was in and out of the “glass of power”?

Political l Hoplite Warfare – – This new style of fighting relied on having a lot of soldiers Common people could become hoplites if they could afford the shield, helmet and armour This gave common people a desire for political power At this point, who was in and out of the “glass of power”?

Political l Solon o Tried to improve life for common Athenians o o o l Eradicated debt slavery Allowed wealthy non-aristocrats to run for some offices Created the Council of 400 At this point, who was in and out of the “glass of power”?

Political l Cleisthenes – – Decreed that any citizen could hold any position, except military general Ostracism vote sent unwanted into 10 -year exile Who was in and out of the “glass of power”? By this time, can we consider Athens to be a democracy? If so, was it fair and just?

Political l Pericles – – – Poor people got paid for their service on the Council of 500 At this point, who was in and out of the “glass of power”? Was Athenian democracy fair and just at this point?

HW l l Take notes on Persian Wars, pages 119 -123. Emphasize cause-consequence relationships using these headings: – – – Ionian revolt Battle of Marathon Athens builds ships Thermopylae Salamis and Plataea