Republican Government

Republican Government

The Young Republic

-In a republic, citizens vote for their leaders.

-Only free adult men were citizens in Rome, but not all citizens were equal.

- Roman society was divided into two groups: the patricians and the plebeians.

-The patricians (puh-TRIH-shuhnz) were wealthy landowners.

The plebeians (plih-BEE-uhnz), who included poorer farmers and craftsmen, made up the majority of Rome’s citizens but were under-represented in the government

Multiple Choice

What's the defining difference between a Patrician and a Plebeian?

• Its just how the Sorting Hat divided them

• What they eat

• Their income and status

• Whether or not they could participate in government

Multiple Select

What was the name of the upper class in Ancient Rome?

• plebeians

• patricians

The Young Republic

The plebeians wanted a say in how Rome was run.

-As a result, in 494 b.c., they went on strike.

-The plebeians left the city, shutting down Roman shops and businesses, and set up their own government.

- Economic activity came to a halt.

The Young Republic

-Once the patricians started losing money, they became frightened and agreed to share their power.

-In time, the plebeians were allowed to elect their own representatives, called tribunes, who fought to protect the rights of ordinary citizens

The Young Republic

The plebeians had one more demand. Because Rome’s laws were not written down, the patricians often interpreted them to favor their rich friends.

-The plebeians fought back. They insisted that the laws be not only written down but carved into bronze tablets and displayed for all to see.

-These laws became known as the Twelve Tables.

-They protected all Roman citizens from injustice. Some of these laws are the basis of our own laws today.

Multiple Choice

Why were the Twelve Tables created?

• Because eleven tables was simply inadequate.

• To provide written laws for the Plebeians to follow.

• To provide written laws for Patricians to follow.

• To provide written laws for all Romans to follow.

  HIDE ANSWER

Roman Government

-Rome’s new, more representative government furthered the development of democratic principles first introduced in the Greek city-state of Athens.

- The government contained three branches. An executive branch led the government and the army, a legislative branch made the laws, and a judicial branch applied the laws

Multiple Choice

Which branch of government creates the laws?

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

Multiple Select

What are the three branches of government? (select all three)

• executive

• judicial

• agricultural

• legislative

• parliament

Roman Government

-The Romans put in place a system of checks and balances, similar to that used in the United States, to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

-They also replaced the position of the king with two leaders called consuls. The consuls shared power so equally that they had the right to veto or reject, each other’s decisions

Multiple Choice

What was the purpose of the system of checks and balances?

• to limit the power of the government

• to separate the plebeians and patricians

• to encourage young Romans to join the military

• to make Roman men and women equal

Multiple Choice

If a law is vetoed, it means:

• it is passed

• it is rejected

• it has to be re-written

• it is approved, but only with majority vote

Roman Government

-The legislative branch was made up of the Senate, elected judicial officers, and two assemblies.

- The Senate advised the consuls.

- The assemblies represented the plebeians.

- In the beginning, most of the 300 members of the Senate were patricians.

-Over time, however, plebeians were also allowed to participate

Roman Government

-Senators often spoke out about issues in the Senate House and in public squares.

-One of Rome’s most brilliant speakers was Cicero (SIH-suh-roh), who often used his speeches to attack those who he believed were a threat to the republic.

Roman Government

-In times of crisis, the Romans appointed dictators who had complete control but were expected to give up power after the danger had passed.

- One such Roman dictator was Cincinnatus (sihn-suh-NA-tuhs).

In 458 b.c., Rome’s army was facing defeat by a fierce enemy, and the Senate wanted Cincinnatus to take charge.

Roman Government

-He accepted the dictatorship, defeated the enemy, and then surrendered his power and returned to his farm.

-The example set by Cincinnatus was celebrated by the Romans, who valued the idea of civic duty putting service to the community ahead of personal interest