The Evolution of Democracy

By benrunciman
  • 507

    Ancient Greeks had the first Democracy

    Ancient Greeks had the first Democracy
    • 507 BCE Athenian leader Cleisthens introduced a system of political reforms he called “demokratia” or rule by the people
    • System had three Branches: Ekklesia, Boule and Dikasteria
    • Decisions therefore were made by representatives from each of the Greek Tribes
  • 509

    Rome declared a republic after the people (mostly noble) rebelled against the king and he was sent away

    Rome declared a republic after the people (mostly noble) rebelled against the king and he was sent away
    • Rome was never a democracy as we know it today or even the ancient Greeks knew it
    • All power laid in the hands of richer Romans in the early days
    • Upper class Romans ruled over the common folk
  • Jun 15, 1215

    King John forced to sign the Magna Carta

    King John forced to sign the Magna Carta
    • Magna Carta outlined a number of provisions where the power of the monarchy would be restricted and the rights of the citizens safeguarded
    • This meant the King could no longer do whatever he wanted
    • Beginning of moderen Democracy

  • American revolution creating first true Democracy

    American revolution creating first true Democracy
    • Americans could vote and the powers of the government were restricted so that no one branch could have too much power
    • Governement had 3 branches to keep each other in line
    • If one branch tried to abuse its power the other 2 could keep the peace and fix the problem

  • French revolution begins

    French revolution begins
    • French society rallied in spirt of Democracy
    • The middle class of France rose to overthrow their monarch King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette
    • Power fell to the military dictator Napoleon who tried to use his new power to take over all of Europe

  • Communism

    Communism
    • 1917 Vladamir Lenin was able to overthrow the Russian Tzar
    • Through purges and starvation, the KGB and the Gulag, Stalin kills between 20-30 million Russians
    • Stalin plummets the world into the Cold War which lasted until the early 90s

  • Militarism

    Militarism
    • After a short period of democracy, Japan moved into a nationalistic direction in the 1930s
    • Frustrated by what they felt was unfair treatment by the West, Japan became a military state and very aggressive
    • Emperor Hirohito of Japan led his country (and army) to war and tried to dominate the Pacific during WWII

  • Fascism

    Fascism
    • 1920s a young ex army corporal and former homeless Austrian found his voice, and a following of people in the war torn and economically crippled Germany
    • With total power Hitler waged WWII
    • After WWI, Benito Mussolini formed a fascist government in Italy