Democracy began over 2,500 years ago in Athens, Greece where citizens would vote on laws and choose leaders. The ancient Greeks built structures like the Parthenon that influenced government buildings today in Washington D.C. like the Capitol building and Supreme Court. Now, democracies allow citizens to have a say in their government through voting, town meetings, or by electing representatives.

1. What Is Democracy?

2. Democracy
 Every fourth of July, People across the
United States celebrate freedom and
democracy. You probably know what
freedom means. But what is Democracy?
It is a form of government in which people
share power. The United States is a
democracy.
 Government by the people!

3. The Beginning of Democracy
 Democracy didn’t start in the United
States. People in Athens, Greece had the
idea. Greece is a country in Europe.
Citizens in Athens were the first to take
part in their Government.
 Democracy started in Athens more than
2,500 years ago.
 Citizens of ancient Athens chose
community leaders and voted on laws.

4. Where is Greece?
Greece is in Europe

5. Another look at Greece

6. Can You Find Greece on a Map of
Europe?

7. What Did Greece Look Like?

8. The Parthenon
 The Parthenon still stands today. Many of
today’s government buildings have been
built to look like Athens's ancient
buildings.
 **Ancient means old.

9. Buildings That Have Greek Architecture
 What is the name of this building?
 Where is it?
 Why is it important?
 How does it look like other buildings in Greece?

10. Other Government Buildings in the United States
Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

11. Other Government Buildings in the
United States
 Supreme Court Building in Washington D.C.

12. Compare Greece to Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. Greece

13. Citizens Decide
 Our country is a democracy. In democracies,
citizens decide what the government will do. A
citizen makes decisions about local, state, and
national governments.
 In some communities, citizens go to a town
meeting to make decisions. They take turns
speaking. They listen to each other’s ideas.
Then they vote on what to do.

14. Example
 I would like three students to volunteer.
 I would like each student to think about
what we should for indoor recess if it rains.
 These three students will present their
idea to the class.
 After we have heard all three options. We
will take a vote!
 The majority wins!

15. Electing Representatives
 In other communities citizens choose people to
represent , or speak for them. Citizens do this by voting
in elections. An election is the process by which citizens
vote for people to represent them.
 Before elections, citizens ask questions. How might a
leader improve our local services? Would a leader spend
more money on schools? People try to learn all they can
before they vote.
 Then the election is held. Citizens vote. The votes are
counted. The person with the most votes wins the
election. He or she represents the people of that town or
city in local government.

16. Our Classroom Can be a Democracy!

17. How to Vote
 Register
 Learn more about who is running for office
and what the important issues are. Watch
debates on television. Read newspaper
articles and talk to neighbors about the
election.
 Vote - go to the right voting location. Mark
your on a ballot and make sure you didn’t
make a mistake. Then turn in your vote.

18. Build a lego model that represents
democracy
 Government by the people
 Greek architecture
 Ancient Greece
 Government buildings
 The Declaration of Independence
 Constitution
 Levels of government
 Branches of government

19. References
 Wikipedia: Parthenon, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenon 10 May 2012 (Retrieved 11 May 2012)
Retrieved
 Wikipedia: Parthenon, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House 9 May 2012 (Retrieved 11 May 2012)
Retrieved
 Wikipedia: United States Capitol, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol 10 May 2012 (Retrieved 11 May
Retrieved
2012)
 Wikipedia: Supreme Court of the United States, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States 6
May 2012 (Retrieved 11 May 2012)
Retrieved
 Clip Art Credit: Phillip Martin mrdonn.org - Ancient Greek Government, City-States, for Teachers
http://greece.mrdonn.org/athensdemocracy.html
 Viola, Herman, and Carlos Cortes. Social Studies: Our Democracy Teachers Edition (Georgia. 1st. ed. 1. Boston,
Massachusetts: Houghton-Mifflin, 2006. 47-59. Print.
 Blog. Maps of World http://blog.mapsofworld.com/tag/world-projection-maps/ 26, February 2010