Athenian Government
the Athenians had a direct democracy. a direct democracy is where the people vote on what should happen. Example would be should we fight Sparta? people would put their vote in and the outcome decided what happened. Unlike today's democracy there was no them versus us.
people allowed in government
18 to vote. had to be a male citizen. only the 6000 or so citizens to show up at the assembly deliberate and vote. this was because around 6000 people was all that could fit in the meeting place.
reaction to government
as far as elections in the government go there weren't too many complaints. There were some who thought that perhaps being a citizen should be all, not just property owners and free men and women. These people, however, were overruled by the rich and the members of the government.
critics
Socrates and Aristotle. Aristotle didn't like the democracy. Socrates hated the thought of democracy. He often tried to find errors in conventional views.
branches of government
assembly - regular meeting of males. voted on decrees that affected every aspect of Athenian life. Council - full time government. Mainly to prepare for agenda for the Assembly. Legislation - laws were discussed and any citizens could request a change of that law. Areopagus - was there long before the democracy and changed many times. It was a court. Peoples court - Juries of people would listen to cases and vote on the guilt or innocents of their fellow citizens and on their punishments.
key players
Pericles - became the leader of the Athenian democracy. offered many benefits to the common people. Weakened the aristocracy. Rose to political prominence in the 450s. believed Sparta was a major threat. Outstanding orator, supported by common people, put down rebellions and sent armies to colonize other area of Asia minor, introduced pay for jurors and magistrates.
Cleisthenes - came before Pericles, made the basis of citizenship, established council of 500, his reforms gave every citizen a chance to sever in government.
Themistocles - before Pericles, built up the naval fleet, defeated Persians, it is believed by many historians that he would not have been able to build up the fleet without Cleisthenes reforms.
elections in the government
members of the government were chosen by the high council. in order to be on the council, you had to be a citizen. the people would not have much of a say in the choice of who was added to the government, but most of the decisions by the council were sound.
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