Evidence from Informational Text Some of the statements below describe how Greece provided America with its democratic ideals and principles. Some of the statements below describe the natural resources and landforms Greece possesses. Place the statements into the column that matches the type of evidence provided.

Two Pieces: Athens, Greece

Alecia Strohl

Birthplace of Democracy

While many people associate the United States with democracy, the Founding Fathers actually borrowed the system from ancient civilization. The earliest form of democratic practice began in Athens, Greece in 510 BC. Though only white, land-owning males were allowed to vote at the time, ancient Greece was the first civilization to steer away from monarch government practices. Unlike America’s representative democracy, in which citizens vote for representative to make decisions, ancient Greece implemented a direct democracy, in which each qualifying citizen was expected to vote for each law. Through a lottery system, officials were selected to run the government, giving qualifying voters equal opportunity to serve. They created three bodies of government in their system: the Assembly, which included all voting citizens; the Council, which oversaw the basic operations of the government; and the Courts, which handled lawsuits and trials. Though democratic practices were wiped out by the Roman Empire in 100 BC, the Founding Fathers rekindled the system when creating a government for the United States, almost 2,000 years later.

Modern Greece

With the longest coastline in Europe, Greece is made of thousands of islands jutting into the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Ionian seas. Greece is also the southernmost country in Europe hosting a variety of landforms; mountains, forests, and lakes spread across its mainland. Just like in ancient Greece, family life is still an important part of Greek culture today. Even after marrying, children often continue to live with their parents and their children are raised with help from both sides of the family. Greeks enjoy a diet with a variety of healthy foods, including olives, seafood, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Almost two-thirds of Greek citizens live in large cities; Athens is the largest with almost four million residents. Grown for over 6,000 years and found in nearly every village, olives are a major crop of Greece. Over 90% of the world’s olive oil is produced in Greece, contributing to its popularity in ancient times when it was used for perfumes and medication. Attracting over 20 million tourists each year, Greece, the birthplace of democracy, boasts a variety of land, food, and culture.

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Ancient Greece was the first civilization to steer away from monarch government practices.
Greece is also the southernmost country in Europe hosting a variety of landforms; mountains, forests, and lakes spread across its mainland.
Grown for over 6,000 years and found in nearly every village, olives are a major crop of Greece.
They created three bodies of government in their system: the Assembly, which included all voting citizens; the Council, which oversaw the basic operations of the government; and the Courts, which handled lawsuits and trials.
Unlike America’s representative democracy, in which citizens vote for representative to make decisions, ancient Greece implemented a direct democracy, in which each qualifying citizen was expected to vote for each law.
With the longest coastline in Europe, Greece is made of thousands of islands jutting into the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Ionian seas.

Greece's Influence on Democracy

Greece's Resources and Landforms