Unit 1: Introduction to the Modern World and the Foundations of Democracy
The Greeks, Romans and the Middle Ages
During the first unit of this course, the goals, routines and expectations of the class will be established as we quickly examine the ancient origins of democratic values. Today, most of us take for granted that people should have a voice in the society they live under, but this idea of democracy evolved very slowly.
A major theme throughout this course will be to better understand the growth of individual rights and the rule of law over time. The origins of democracy can be traced back several thousand years. Small ancient Greek societies placed a strong belief in individual rights beginning about 600 B.C. The word democracy comes from the Greek words meaning “rule of the people.” These ideas were stressed by such philosophers as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. Their work, along with other contributing Greek leaders, has continued to influence the ideas of peoples in Western Countries even to today.
Many of the political ideals of ancient Greece were absorbed by nearby Rome beginning around 500 B.C. As the Romans grew in power and influence, they adopted many Greek ideas about government, law and citizenship, in addition to their own admirable ideas such as the Roman code of law and citizenship. The strength and influence of the Roman Empire spanned over three continents and lasted hundreds of years spreading Greco-Roman ideals.
As this empire crumbled in the 5th century many of its ideas and accomplishments were lost in the West. Europe slowly crept into the Dark Ages for nearly one thousand years. Many of these accomplishments were lost and forgotten while small kingdoms waged fruitless wars eking out a meager existence under the severe control by the Catholic Church.
Another influential ideal of this period was the growing belief in monotheism (one god) as practiced by early Jews and Christians. These faiths stressed individual worth, morality and the equality of people before God and furthered a democratic outlook. The Judeo-Christian tradition is another highly influential factor in Modern World History.
Key Themes and Vocabulary
The Rise of Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome and Early Christianity
The Middle Ages
Learning Objectives
· List descriptively the cultural legacies of Greek and Roman societies
· List and describe the causes for the fall of the Roman Empire discussed in class, and the effects that fall had on the culture of that region.
· Compare Athenian Democracy and Roman Republic to the modern U.S. government.
· Describe the 3 different social classes of Medieval European society and the cultural significance of each.
· Analyze of the importance of the Catholic Church, its authority, how and why it changed from the fall of Rome through the Dark Ages.
Essential Questions
· How did Greece become a democracy?
· How did Greek philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates influence the class and political structures of later societies?
· Why did Greece’s democracy come to an end?
· How have Greco-Roman political philosophy and monotheistic moral teachings influenced the development of modern democratic values?
· What legacy or lasting influence did each of these societies have on the development of modern governments?
· How was Rome’s democracy different from Greece’s?
· What was innovative about ancient Rome’s system of laws?
· What were the specific contributions Greece and Rome had on modern societies?
· Why do historians view Justinian’s Code as the forerunner to modern legal systems?
· How have Habeas Corpus, due process of law, and common law impacted modern society?
· How did monotheistic religions influence and spread democratic values?
· What risks do people take by adopting new ideas?
· How can ideas be more revolutionary than an army or invention?
The Greeks, Romans and the Middle Ages
During the first unit of this course, the goals, routines and expectations of the class will be established as we quickly examine the ancient origins of democratic values. Today, most of us take for granted that people should have a voice in the society they live under, but this idea of democracy evolved very slowly.
A major theme throughout this course will be to better understand the growth of individual rights and the rule of law over time. The origins of democracy can be traced back several thousand years. Small ancient Greek societies placed a strong belief in individual rights beginning about 600 B.C. The word democracy comes from the Greek words meaning “rule of the people.” These ideas were stressed by such philosophers as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. Their work, along with other contributing Greek leaders, has continued to influence the ideas of peoples in Western Countries even to today.
Many of the political ideals of ancient Greece were absorbed by nearby Rome beginning around 500 B.C. As the Romans grew in power and influence, they adopted many Greek ideas about government, law and citizenship, in addition to their own admirable ideas such as the Roman code of law and citizenship. The strength and influence of the Roman Empire spanned over three continents and lasted hundreds of years spreading Greco-Roman ideals.
As this empire crumbled in the 5th century many of its ideas and accomplishments were lost in the West. Europe slowly crept into the Dark Ages for nearly one thousand years. Many of these accomplishments were lost and forgotten while small kingdoms waged fruitless wars eking out a meager existence under the severe control by the Catholic Church.
Another influential ideal of this period was the growing belief in monotheism (one god) as practiced by early Jews and Christians. These faiths stressed individual worth, morality and the equality of people before God and furthered a democratic outlook. The Judeo-Christian tradition is another highly influential factor in Modern World History.
Key Themes and Vocabulary
The Rise of Ancient Greece
- Sparta and Athens
- Athenian Democracy
- Western concept of democracy
- Direct democracy
- Classical art, architecture, literature
- Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
- Jury Trial
- Justinian
Ancient Rome and Early Christianity
- Roman Republic
- Roman Law
- Roman Citizenship
- Julius Caesar
- Augustus, the first Roman emperor
- Pax Romana
- Aqueduct
- Barbarian
- Peloponnesian War
- Roman Military
- Sacking of Rome
- The Byzantine Empire
- Islamic Civilization
- Catholic Church
- Judeo-Christian Traditions
The Middle Ages
- The Rise of Medieval Europe
- Holy Roman Empire
- Clergy/Peasant/Nobility
- The Crusades
- Black Plague
- Feudalism
Learning Objectives
· List descriptively the cultural legacies of Greek and Roman societies
· List and describe the causes for the fall of the Roman Empire discussed in class, and the effects that fall had on the culture of that region.
· Compare Athenian Democracy and Roman Republic to the modern U.S. government.
· Describe the 3 different social classes of Medieval European society and the cultural significance of each.
· Analyze of the importance of the Catholic Church, its authority, how and why it changed from the fall of Rome through the Dark Ages.
Essential Questions
· How did Greece become a democracy?
· How did Greek philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates influence the class and political structures of later societies?
· Why did Greece’s democracy come to an end?
· How have Greco-Roman political philosophy and monotheistic moral teachings influenced the development of modern democratic values?
· What legacy or lasting influence did each of these societies have on the development of modern governments?
· How was Rome’s democracy different from Greece’s?
· What was innovative about ancient Rome’s system of laws?
· What were the specific contributions Greece and Rome had on modern societies?
· Why do historians view Justinian’s Code as the forerunner to modern legal systems?
· How have Habeas Corpus, due process of law, and common law impacted modern society?
· How did monotheistic religions influence and spread democratic values?
· What risks do people take by adopting new ideas?
· How can ideas be more revolutionary than an army or invention?