What Is Democracy?What Is Democracy?

DemocracyDemocracy

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

Government by the people!Government by the people!

The Beginning of DemocracyThe Beginning of Democracy

Democracy didnDemocracy didn’’t start in the United t start in the United States. People in Athens, Greece had the States. People in Athens, Greece had the idea. Greece is a country in Europe. idea. Greece is a country in Europe. Citizens in Athens were the first to take Citizens in Athens were the first to take part in their Government.part in their Government.

Democracy started in Athens more than Democracy started in Athens more than 2,500 years ago. 2,500 years ago.

Citizens of ancient Athens chose Citizens of ancient Athens chose community leaders and voted on laws.community leaders and voted on laws.

Where is Greece?Where is Greece?

Greece is in EuropeGreece is in Europe

Another look at GreeceAnother look at Greece

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

What Did Greece Look Like?What Did Greece Look Like?

The ParthenonThe Parthenon

The Parthenon still stands today. Many of The Parthenon still stands today. Many of todaytoday’’s government buildings have been s government buildings have been built to look like Athens's ancient buildings.built to look like Athens's ancient buildings.

**Ancient means old.**Ancient means old.

Buildings That Have Greek ArchitectureBuildings That Have Greek Architecture

What is the name of this building?What is the name of this building? Where is it?Where is it? Why is it important?Why is it important? How does it look like other buildings in Greece?How does it look like other buildings in Greece?

Other Government Buildings in the United StatesOther Government Buildings in the United States

Capitol Building in Washington D.C.Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

Other Government Buildings in the Other Government Buildings in the United StatesUnited States

Supreme Court Building in Washington D.C.Supreme Court Building in Washington D.C.

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

Washington D.C. GreeceWashington D.C. Greece

Citizens DecideCitizens Decide

Our country is a democracy. In democracies, Our country is a democracy. In democracies, citizens decide what the government will do. A citizens decide what the government will do. A citizen makes decisions about local, state, and citizen makes decisions about local, state, and national governments.national governments.

In some communities, citizens go to a town In some communities, citizens go to a town meeting to make decisions. They take turns meeting to make decisions. They take turns speaking. They listen to each otherspeaking. They listen to each other’’s ideas. s ideas. Then they vote on what to do. Then they vote on what to do.

ExampleExample

I would like three students to volunteer.I would like three students to volunteer. I would like each student to think about what I would like each student to think about what

we should for indoor recess if it rains. we should for indoor recess if it rains. These three students will present their idea These three students will present their idea

to the class. to the class. After we have heard all three options. We After we have heard all three options. We

will take a vote!will take a vote! The majority wins!The majority wins!

Electing RepresentativesElecting Representatives In other communities citizens choose people to In other communities citizens choose people to

represent , or speak for them. Citizens do this by voting represent , or speak for them. Citizens do this by voting in elections. An election is the process by which citizens in elections. An election is the process by which citizens vote for people to represent them.vote for people to represent them.

Before elections, citizens ask questions. How might a Before elections, citizens ask questions. How might a leader improve our local services? Would a leader spend leader improve our local services? Would a leader spend more money on schools? People try to learn all they can more money on schools? People try to learn all they can before they vote. before they vote.

Then the election is held. Citizens vote. The votes are Then the election is held. Citizens vote. The votes are counted. The person with the most votes wins the counted. The person with the most votes wins the election. He or she represents the people of that town or election. He or she represents the people of that town or city in local government. city in local government.

Our Classroom Can be a Democracy!Our Classroom Can be a Democracy!

How to VoteHow to Vote

RegisterRegister Learn more about who is running for office Learn more about who is running for office

and what the important issues are. Watch and what the important issues are. Watch debates on television. Read newspaper debates on television. Read newspaper articles and talk to neighbors about the articles and talk to neighbors about the election.election.

Vote - go to the right voting location. Mark Vote - go to the right voting location. Mark your on a ballot and make sure you didnyour on a ballot and make sure you didn’’t t make a mistake. Then turn in your vote.make a mistake. Then turn in your vote.

Build a lego model that represents Build a lego model that represents democracydemocracy

Government by the peopleGovernment by the people Greek architecture Greek architecture Ancient GreeceAncient Greece Government buildingsGovernment buildings The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence ConstitutionConstitution Levels of governmentLevels of government Branches of governmentBranches of government

ReferencesReferences

Wikipedia: Parthenon, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenon 10 May 2012 (Retrieved 11 May 2012) Retrieved 11 May 2012)

Wikipedia: Parthenon, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House 9 May 2012 (Retrieved 11 May 2012) Retrieved 11 May 2012)

Wikipedia: United States Capitol, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol 10 May 2012 (Retrieved 11 May Retrieved 11 May 2012) 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 11 May 2012)

Clip Art Credit: Phillip Martin Clip Art Credit: Phillip Martin mrdonn.org mrdonn.org - Ancient Greek Government, City-States, for Teachers - Ancient Greek Government, City-States, for Teachers http://greece.mrdonn.org/athensdemocracy.html 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 2010Blog. Maps of World http://blog.mapsofworld.com/tag/world-projection-maps/ 26, February 2010