Ancient Greek Democracy

Grade 645 min

Learning Objective

I can compare different early Greek governments, including early democracy, and consider which ones were most effective and/or representative.

Lesson Flow

Watch Video

5 min

What did democracy really mean in Athens? - Melissa Schwartzberg

TED-Ed

Practice

14 min

8 questions • Short answer

Exit Ticket

5 min

Describe one way Athenian democracy was more representative than a system where only nobles had power. Then, describe one way it was less representative than modern democracies. The video mentions that Athenian democracy used sortition (random selection) for many government positions. What is one potential benefit of this system, and what is one potential drawback in terms of effectiveness? Athenian democracy is described as a direct democracy. What is one advantage of direct democracy compared to a system where elected officials make decisions, and what is one potential disadvantage?

Teacher Guide

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  • Answer keys for all questions
  • Differentiation strategies
  • Extension activities
  • Printable student handouts