MODELS OF GOVERNANCE: PALEOLITHIC ANCIENT ERA

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1 Students should explain how and why models of governance evolved between the Paleolithic and Ancient eras Section Overview: What is Government? : a system for controlling society Throughout history people have recognized the need for a system to organize society Think back to types of government activities from last week For much of history, people lived under the rule of kings or rulers with absolute power Opposite of democracy Paleolithic Era Government Old stone age society composed of groups (ruled by strongest, best hunter, best provider, or an elder) Women often could sit in councils, offer advice, and sometimes lead Notable characteristics include: Shared decision making Consensus building Neolithic Era Government New stone age marked a dramatic change in how people lived together They began living in larger, more organized communities, such as villages & towns, which eventually evolved into cities & a more complex way of life - As the population of some early farming villages increased, and economic activity within them became more prosperous and complex, social relationships became more complicated Social classes with varying wealth, power, & influence began to emerge

2 Large population growth also made government necessary.. complex institution, one of the 5 characteristics of a complex civilization Leaders emerged to maintain order & establish laws Government in Sumer Sumerian government started out with the creation of city-states with a Ziggurat at the center. City-states were large population centers that formed with the development of agriculture Ziggurats were places of worship and gatherings and were very important for the Sumerians. initially held political power in these city-states as they had control over the canals for irrigation and on trade plus they were servants of the gods. That gave them power over the others and allowed them to rule. As Sumer became more powerful, and the cities gained more and more wealth, government evolved where instead of each city being ruled by a different priest, you had one guy in control of multiple cities. Here you start to see a shift from the independent cities to a larger unified area. / eventually developed

3 Government in the Ancient World Our study of government from the ancient world will center on the following: Classical Greece (pages127-31) - shift from monarchy to oligarchy - emergence of direct democracy in Athens Roman Republic (pages156-7) - emergence of representative democracy - administration of the Republic (500 BCE to 1st century BCE) Ancient Greece Government Types An analysis of Ancient Greece indicates that there were many forms of government over a 1500 year period of time. Ancient Greece: Athens builds a limited democracy The idea of government began to take shape throughout Ancient Greece, particularly in Athens While Athens did experience power struggles between the rich and poor, it was able to avoid major political upheaval by making timely reforms Athenian reformers moved towards, rule by the people where citizens participated directly in political decision making

4 Ancient Greece Textbook Activities A. Important Concepts. Use the textbook glossary to define the following Polis: Acropolis: Monarchy: Aristocracy: Oligarchy: Tyrant: Democracy:

5 B. Building Democracy (Page 128) Summarize the reforms introduced by each of the following individuals to Athenian Democracy Draco Solon Cleisthenes

6 C. Athenian Education (Pages ) Provide specific examples from this section to help illustrate how education supported democracy in ancient Athens D. Pericles Plan for Athens (Page ) How did Pericles strengthen democracy?