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6th Grade UBD - Unit 6 - Greek Political Systems

Experimenting with Government- Greek city-states tried
many different types of government.

Athenian Democracy- Democracy in Athens was different
from modern democracies. However, its basic ideas are still
seen today in governments around the world.

Athens and Sparta-Athens and Sparta were two of the most
powerful Greek city-states. They developed societies that were
very different from each other. They were constant rivals.

Greek city-states were ruled by
different types of
governments. There were
advantages and disadvantages
to each type of government.
Explain what kind of
government we have in the
United States and some of its
advantages and disadvantages.
( 5 minutes)

Work with a
neighbor and
compare your
answer with theirs.
What things are
the same and what
things are
different? (3
minutes)

Many Greek city-states began as monarchies. Some became
aristocracies or oligarchies. This happened when the
aristocrats close to the king overthrew the monarch and took
power.

When commoners became unhappy with oligarchies, they
supported powerful military men who overthrew the
oligarchies. These men set themselves up as tyrants. Some
tyrannies were very popular and prosperous. Other tyrants
abused their power and became unpopular.

Greece has a unique
geography.

Because of this, many
early Greek cities were
established on islands.

Cities on the mainland
were separated by the
hills and mountains.

Ancient Greeks built
independent city-states rather
than one united civilization such
as in ancient Egypt or Rome.

Different systems of government
were used to rule these citystates.

They went through many
changes over time.

The history of Greece,
especially in the time of
the city-states, was
written down by several
Greek historians.

Herodotus, often called
the “father of history”.

Much of what is known
about the political
structures of Greece and
life in the city-states
comes from their writings
and from the monuments
and art that the
civilizations of ancient
Greece left behind.
STATUE OF KING LEONIDAS IN SPARTA.
STATUE OF SOCRATES IN ATHENS.
1. How are these two statues similar? How are they different?
2. What can we learn about the views and values of Athens and Sparta by looking at
these photographs?
Key Term
Monarchy- A
system in which
only one person
has the power to
rule. This person
is usually a king or
queen.
Key Term
Oligarchy- When
several people
have the power to
rule. The oligarchs
who rose to power
in ancient Greece
usually came from
the upper classes.
Key Term
Tyranny- A
government that
is ruled by one
person who took
power by force.

Athenians expanded the access common people had to government
in gradual steps. They did this until all Athenian citizens could take
part in government.

In Athens, all citizens had a voice and a vote in the making of laws.
Citizens also served on juries. They could run for public office.

Athenian democracy was a direct democracy. This meant that all
citizens had a direct role in making laws and running the government.

Athens was the first democracy. It was one of the inspirations for the
founders of the U.S. government more than 2,000 years later.

In the 500s BCE, the
earliest democracy
developed in the citystate of Athens.

Later all Athenian citizens
participated in
establishing government
and laws.

Free male adults whose parents
were born in Athens were
citizens.

Women were not allowed to take
part in government.

Those who lived in Athens but did
not have Athenian parents, or
who were enslaved, could not
become citizens or take part in
government.

Athens’ new style of
government was a direct
democracy. Every
qualified citizen could
vote. Any man could be
called to serve on the
assembly or on the jury.

Most democracies today are
representative democracies,
including the United States.

In a representative democracy, the
people elect representatives such
as senators or members of
Congress.

These representatives make
decisions and create laws that
mirror the interests of the people.
Key Term
Democracy- A
government in
which the
people have the
power to make
political
decisions.
Key Term
Direct DemocracyA form of
government in which
all people, or all
citizens, come
together to pass
laws and make
decisions for their
communities.
Key Term
Representative
Democracy- People
elect representatives
such as senators or
members of Congress.
These representatives
make decisions and
create laws that mirror
the interests of the
people.
Video- Political Cornerstones
Reading Handout- Democracy Then and Now

Athens built its economy on trade. Because it had wealth
from trade, Athens could become a culturally rich citystate. Athenian boys were trained to become thinkers as
well as craftsmen, artists, or businesspeople.

Sparta developed as a farming and military city-state.
Spartan citizens trained as warriors to defend their citystate from attacks and uprisings. Spartan boys were
trained from birth to become warriors.
Video- Athens and Sparta

Athens was located near
the sea. The surrounding
area had little farmland
of good quality.

It was easier for
Athenians to travel by
ship to trade for food
and other resources.

The people of Athens were
able to trade for the things
they needed.

They could spend less time
working and could focus
on cultural pursuits.

Athens became a center of
culture.

Men took care of all the daily
responsibilities of their business
and their homes.

Men spent much of their time
meeting in the public squares to
discuss business and politics.

The men of Athens had free
time because enslaved people
took care of the crops and the
homes.

Women of Athens
rarely went into public
spaces.

They were expected to
stay home. They were
expected to do chores
and raise children.

Boys were taught to read and
write and to take part in cultural
life.

As they grew, they became
traders, artisans, and
merchants.

When a boy reached 18 years of
age, he took the oath of
citizenship. He became a full
participant in the daily life of
Athens.

Girls had fewer choices and
opportunities.

Girls stayed home and were
taught by their mothers how
to keep a home and raise
children.

Women were important to
the religious life of Athens.
They could become
priestesses.
Video- Spartan Warriors
Reading Handout- Life in Sparta

This led Sparta to create
a culture based on
military strength.

Sparta based its power
on military strength.
Spartans spent little
time focusing on arts
and culture.

From birth, Spartan citizens were raised to become
soldiers. When a boy was born, he was brought before a
council of elders. They examined him to make sure he
was healthy. If the boy was found to be healthy, he was
returned to his parents. If the council decided the child
was not healthy in some way, the baby was taken away
from his parents. He was left to die.

When boys reached age
seven, they left their
families.

They moved into the
barracks, or military
housing, to begin their
training as soldiers.

They remained in training
until age 20.

Spartan women also were trained in military
techniques. This way, they would be able to defend
Sparta if enemies attacked while the men were
away. Women performed many exercises to become
strong and stay strong. They did this because
Spartans believed strong women produced strong
children.

Spartan men had power in
government affairs. Women
played their own important
role in Spartan society.

Spartan women were
expected to run the
household. They were
expected to handle the daily
business when the men were
unavailable.

Sparta and Athens offered two very different
models of how a city-state could function.
Sparta triumphed over Athens in the
Peloponnesian War.

However, Athens’ influence has been greater
over time. The influence of its culture and
ideas can still be felt today.

Athens focused on
aspects of culture,
societal roles, and
education.

Sparta stressed military
strength and allowed
women more freedom
than they had in Athens.

What has been the
“muddiest” point so far in
this lesson? That is, what
topic remains the least
clear to you? (4 minutes)

Work with a
neighbor and
compare your
muddiest point with
theirs. Compare
what things are the
same and what
things are different?
(3 minutes)