DemocracyDemocracyAuthority from the PeopleAuthority from the People

Defining DemocracyDefining Democracy A government A government

where the citizens where the citizens choose leaders to choose leaders to make laws and make laws and decisions for them. decisions for them.

Citizens do not Citizens do not directly make directly make decisions, but have decisions, but have a voice in choosing a voice in choosing those who do make those who do make decisions.decisions.

BackgroundBackground The idea of democracy The idea of democracy

was a radical concept was a radical concept for Ancient Greece of for Ancient Greece of 500 B.C. For over 500 500 B.C. For over 500 years the Greek city-years the Greek city-states had been ruled states had been ruled by oligarchies--small by oligarchies--small groups of aristocratic groups of aristocratic men who made all men who made all major decisions for the major decisions for the city-state. The city-state. The Athenian democratic Athenian democratic ideal developed ideal developed methodically, methodically, commencing with the commencing with the great law-giver, Solon, great law-giver, Solon, in 594 B.C. in 594 B.C.

Background cont…Background cont… In Greece foreign males and In Greece foreign males and

servants/slaves, as well as servants/slaves, as well as women, were denied a part women, were denied a part in the governing process. in the governing process. Only those males age 18 Only those males age 18 and over whose ancestors and over whose ancestors had been citizens of Athens had been citizens of Athens were given the right to vote. were given the right to vote.

In most Democracies today In most Democracies today all citizens are given the all citizens are given the opportunity to participate in opportunity to participate in all parts of the Democratic all parts of the Democratic process. process.

Forming a DemocracyForming a Democracy Democracies form when the Democracies form when the

citizens become so frustrated citizens become so frustrated with the totalitarian government with the totalitarian government they are living under that they they are living under that they rebel. rebel.

It is a long and involved process It is a long and involved process for those who want change. They for those who want change. They must take all opinions and must take all opinions and concerns into account.concerns into account.

2 examples are The U.S. and 2 examples are The U.S. and France. In both cases nationalism France. In both cases nationalism played an important role. played an important role.

Democracy in the United StatesDemocracy in the United States Colonists became Colonists became

frustrated with the frustrated with the English Monarchy’s English Monarchy’s taxation, and limitation taxation, and limitation of rights and rebelled of rights and rebelled (Tea Party, Declaration, (Tea Party, Declaration, etc). etc).

Colonists declared their Colonists declared their independence from independence from England and openly England and openly rebelled in 1776.rebelled in 1776.

Led by George Led by George Washington the Washington the Continental Army won Continental Army won the Revolution in 1783.the Revolution in 1783.

Nationalism in AmericaNationalism in America IdeologyIdeology: Freedom, : Freedom,

Liberty, Justice for allLiberty, Justice for all Propaganda:Propaganda:

Newspaper-Ben Newspaper-Ben Franklin, Franklin, Federalists/Anti-Federalists/Anti-federalists, Pamphlets-federalists, Pamphlets-Thomas Paine, etc.Thomas Paine, etc.

GovernmentGovernment: : Democratic RepublicDemocratic Republic

National Identity:National Identity: American via George American via George Washington, FlagWashington, Flag

Democracy in FranceDemocracy in France By 1789 French citizens By 1789 French citizens

were fed up with the were fed up with the Monarchy’s weak kings, Monarchy’s weak kings, financial troubles, financial troubles, unequal treatment of unequal treatment of citizens. citizens.

Many were inspired by Many were inspired by the success of the the success of the American Revolution.American Revolution.

July 14, 1789 the French July 14, 1789 the French took the Bastille Prison took the Bastille Prison as an act of rebellion as an act of rebellion against Louis XVI, against Louis XVI, starting the French starting the French Revolution. Revolution.

Nationalism in FranceNationalism in France Ideology:Ideology: Liberty, Liberty,

Equality and Equality and Brotherhood.Brotherhood.

PropagandaPropaganda: : Newspapers and Newspapers and pamphlets-Jean Paul pamphlets-Jean Paul Marat, Art-Jacques-Marat, Art-Jacques-Louis David.Louis David.

Government:Government: Republic Republic National Identity:National Identity:

French via Bastille, French via Bastille, Napoleon. Napoleon.

Maintaining DemocracyMaintaining Democracy Written Documents Written Documents

protecting Individual Rights.protecting Individual Rights. Constitution, Bill of Rights, Constitution, Bill of Rights,

Declaration of the Rights of Declaration of the Rights of Man (France)Man (France)

Exercising rights including:Exercising rights including: voting, speech, assembly, voting, speech, assembly,

religion, arms, etc.religion, arms, etc. Defending it for others.Defending it for others.

Economic sanctions, talks, warEconomic sanctions, talks, war Cooperation/Compromise:Cooperation/Compromise:

Putting the common good Putting the common good before one’s own interests.before one’s own interests.

The Hardest Part of Democracy-USThe Hardest Part of Democracy-US