Unit 1 test world cic objectives

1. Define Democracy and describe the various parts of Athenian Democracy

Democracy = rule by the many (not the few). Parts: Council of 500 (lot, set agenda), Assembly (all male citizens vote), Courts (citizen juries by lot). Most offices by lottery; generals elected. Ostracism checked leaders.

2. Differentiate who could and who could not participate in Athenian Democracy

Could: Adult male citizens only (~1/6 of population). Could not: Women, children, enslaved people, metics (resident foreigners).

3. Argue whether Athens was a democracy or not

Yes arguments: All adult male citizens had equal political rights regardless of wealth or family. Most offices filled by lottery (Aristotle said this was democratic). Assembly of all male citizens had final say on laws, war, and policy. Large citizen juries decided cases, even against elites. Pericles: “administration favors the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy.”
No / limited arguments: Only ~1/6 of the population (adult male citizens) could participate. Women, enslaved people, and metics were completely excluded. Athens ruled its empire like a tyranny (Pericles and Cleon both admitted this). Orators (often aristocrats) still dominated debate. Democracy collapsed twice into oligarchy (the 400 and the Thirty).

4. Relate economics to democracy in Athens

Public pay and festivals let poorer citizens participate. Silver, trade, and tariffs funded the system. Empire tribute paid for democracy; losing the empire made restoration harder.

5. Describe how the Athenian Empire started and how it affected democracy

Started as Delian League (478 BCE), turned into empire through forced tribute. Effect: Tribute funded wages and navy (strengthened democracy) but caused rebellions and tension that later helped destroy it.

6. Explain why the Peloponnesian War started

Sparta feared Athens’ growing power and empire. In 432 BCE Sparta demanded Athens free its subjects; Athens refused → war in 431 BCE.

7. Argue the role of Orators in Athenian Democracy

They informed the Assembly and led policy (Pericles: speeches teach before action). They could also mislead or dominate. Checked by ostracism and courts.

8. Discern the cause and effects of the Mytilenean Debate

Cause: Mytilene rebelled (428/427 BCE). Effects: Assembly first voted to massacre everyone, then reversed the next day. ~1,000 still executed. Showed how quickly the Assembly could change its mind.

9. Define “power struggle” using examples from Athenian Democracy

Competition for political power. Examples: Ostracism of rivals (Hyperbolus), orators fighting after Pericles, the 400 and Thirty coups, Thrasybulus restoring democracy.

10. Recognize the flaws/challenges of Athenian Democracy

Hasty Assembly decisions, demagogues, most people excluded, empire problems, and two collapses into oligarchy (411 and 404 BCE).

11. Explain how the government of The 400 worked

400 wealthy men took power in 411 BCE. Replaced the Council of 500, barred the poor from office, used terror. Lasted only a few months.

12. Argue why Athenian Democracy collapsed (first time)

Sicilian disaster emptied the treasury and caused rebellions. Wealthy citizens supported oligarchy. Peisandros convinced the Assembly that fewer people in power was the only way to survive.

13. Explain why democracy was restored in Athens

Navy on Samos refused the 400, elected democratic leaders (Thrasybulus), and kept fighting. Opposition in Athens forced the 400 out. Full democracy returned in 410 BCE.

14. Argue why Athenian Democracy collapsed a second time

Final naval defeat at Aegospotami (405 BCE) destroyed the fleet and empire. City was besieged and starving. Sparta imposed the Thirty.

15. Describe Athenian government and life under The Thirty

Citizenship limited to 3,000 men. Ruled by terror (Critias), killed and exiled thousands, used mercenaries. Extremely brutal until overthrown.

16. Explain the challenges Athens faced in trying to restore democracy a final time

City in ruins. Two big problems: (1) reform institutions for stability, (2) decide whether to punish or forgive former supporters of the Thirty.