WARM-UP C1

The period called the “Struggle of the Orders” is when the patricians and plebeians fought over political rights. Describe why the plebeians were upset, and how they were able to make change happen in the republic.

PoliticsBefore the Republic • Before Rome was a

republic they had a monarchy.

• Rome’s kings were elected, but King Tarquinius (an Etruscan) became a tyrant. He was cruel when he tried to force people to accept a Tarquin dynasty.

• The people of Rome kicked the king out of the city.

What type of government did Rome have before the Republic?

Why did the Romans get rid of their king?

PoliticsCreating the Republic • Without a king, the Romans

began to create a new government called the Republic.

• Never again did they want to allow a single man to have too much power, so they created a government with Checks and Balances.

What is the purpose of Checks and Balances?

PoliticsThe Republic • The republic was

representative, an indirect democracy.

• A main idea of the republic was the “rule of law” and not the rule of a single man. Everyone must follow the law.

What kind of democracy is a republic?

What does the “rule of law” mean?

PoliticsThe Republic • The senate was created to

represent the aristocrats or patricians of Rome.

• The senate was the most important lawmaking body in the Republic.

• The senate was composed of 300 men who served for life. They were voted for by patricians and plebeians.

What was the most important law making body of the republic?

PoliticsThe Republic • Tribunes were chosen to

represent the plebeians and veto government actions.

• The highest position in the republic was the consul.

• The consuls led the army and ran the government.

• 2 Consuls were elected for 1 year terms, and they could veto each other.

Who did the tribunes represent?

What function did the consuls perform?

How could the consuls “check and balance” each other?

PoliticsThe Republic

• In times of emergency, the senate could choose a single man who would assume nearly absolute control over all of Rome. Such a person was called a dictator, and they could only “serve” Rome for 6 months.

• Cincinnatus was a famous dictator of Rome for giving up his power before his 6 months were up.

When did Rome choose a dictator?

How long could a dictator remain in power?

PoliticsThe Republic’s Impact

• Rome’s republic would eventually come to an end, but it’s legacy has continued to inspire.

• The constitution of the United States was modeled after many Roman ideas;

1. Check and Balances

2. Representation: Senate

3. Veto powers

4. Rule of Law; and more.

How did the Roman Republic influence the development of the U.S.A.?

Choose 6 of the 121. What type of government did Rome have before the Republic?

2. Why did the Romans get rid of their king?

3. What is the purpose of Checks and Balances?

4. What kind of democracy is a republic?

5. What does the “rule of law” mean?

6. What was the most important law making body of the republic?

7. Who did the tribunes represent?

8. What function did the consuls perform?

9. How could the consuls “check and balance” each other?

10. When did Rome choose a dictator?

11. How long could a dictator remain in power?

12. How did the Roman Republic influence the development of the U.S.A.?