Democracy, Greco-Roman, Judeo-Chistian

1. THE BIRTH OF
DEMOCRACY

2. The island
• What are your rights?
• What are your top 10 laws?
• What is the punishment for
breaking each law?
• Who decides these laws?
• Who enforces these laws?
• What are the most
important jobs that must be
filled?
• How do you determine
which classmate works
what job?

3. Island debriefing
• Describe your government.
• Was there a leader?
• Were their people who were more outspoken then others?
• Did you do a formal vote for decisions or were things
presented and people would agree or disagree?
• If you did a formal vote, did you do it for every decision?
• Was there conflict? If so how was it resolved?

4. Is a picture worth 1,000 words?
Directions: Examine the image.
What are the first words that pop into your head?
What do you think it is saying about the U.S. in comparison to the rest of
the world?
Is it accurate?

5. WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?
For many years societies have lived under the
command of kings and other rulers who held absolute
power. In other words they could make any laws
without without the consent of anyone.
The opposite of absolute power is something called
democracy, in which the people govern themselves
while using councils and agreed upon laws.

6. WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?
The origins of democracy can be traced back to
Ancient Greece and Rome. However, the two ancient
civilizations differed as to how democracy should be
set up.
Ancient Greece
Believed in a limited form of
direct democracy. In a
direct democracy, citizens
represented themselves in
councils. A modern country
that most closely uses a
direct democracy is
Switzerland.
Rome
Preferred a republic. This
was an indirect democracy
in which citizens rule
through representatives.
They representatives are
elected by the people. The
United States is considered
a democratic republic.

7. Where in the world were the Roman and
Greek Empires?

8. Greco-Roman Views on
Democracy
Greco-Roman is simply a way we describe the basic Ancient views of both the
Greek and Roman in regards to democracy. This differs but influenced Judeo-
Christian views of democracy.
Greco-Roman Views –
• Citizens participate in the government buy debating in public, voting, being
on juries, holding office, and creating laws.
• They use natural laws that were discovered through intellect and reason, not
superstition.
• There should be a written law
• Democracy is protected with branches of government.
• Legislative: Individuals who make the laws.
• Executive: Individuals who approve laws.
• Judicial: Individual who resolve legal disputes.

9. Judeo-Christian Views
supporting democracy
Judeo-Christian means a combination of common beliefs
held by Jewish and Christian individuals and is similar but
has subtle differences.
• All people have value and dignity because they were
created by God.
• All people have free will. This is the act of being able to
choose right or wrong.
• All people have the responsibility to help others in need.
• As Christianity spread through the Roman Empire (400
C.E) it slowly became the dominant religion of Europe.

10. Researching democracy
For your homework you will be conducting online research
on democracy.
Find a website/video/article online that discusses the basics
of early democracy. Be sure to include the name and URL
of the website.
a. Dawn of Democracy
b. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtn-BZH_xU0
Take notes while you watch your video.
Identify how credible your source is. (Mine is credible)
In your own words, summarize your source and name three
things you learned.