The document traces the origins and development of democracy from ancient Greece to the modern United States. It begins with Athens establishing a direct democracy in the 6th century BC where citizens voted directly on political issues, though it excluded slaves and women. Rome developed a republic with representatives elected by citizens to handle governance. During the Middle Ages, absolute monarchies replaced democratic rule in Europe. New democratic ideals emerged and influenced the framers of the US Constitution, which incorporated elements of direct democracy and republicanism with expanded rights compared to previous models.