Pausanias - Description of Greece
Solon: Select Fragments
Solon by Plutarch
Herodotus: The Persian Reject Democracy/Darius' State
Is monarchy more or less effective than democracy?
Who wants to have rights taken away, not have a say in what goes on where they live, or constantly be told what to do? Being treated fairly and having certain rights are things that many people desire and want. A monarchy is “is a form of government in which all political power is absolutely or nominally lodged with an individual.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy) Monarchies rule and have ruled various places in the world. A democracy is the opposite of a monarchy, it being “a political government carried out either directly by the people (direct democracy) or by means of elected representatives of the people, as if the people and the elected person were one, linear line of decisions.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy) A monarchy is less effective for the people, and a democracy is more effective for the people.
In a monarchy, the person in charge has all of the power. Power can corrupt; therefore, the amount of power that this person obtains could be a negative thing. The Treasons Act was written in 1571 protecting Queen Elizabeth I from criticism, which does not allow people to speak freely about how they feel. This act states, “An act whereby certaine offences be made treason....Be it enacted, declared, and established...that, if any person or persons whatsoever, at any time after the last day of June next coming during the natural life of our most gracious sovereign lady, Queen Elizabeth..., shall, within the realm or without, compass, imagine, invent, devise, or intend the death or destruction, or any bodily harm tending to death, destruction, maim, or wounding of the royal person of the same our sovereign lady, Queen Elizabeth..” (http://www.gunpowder-plot.org/archives/eliz2.htm) In Europe, the government has always been a monarchy, and the people have gone through many hardships such as being slaves who were treated unfairly. This act is meant to protect the one in charge, in this case, the Queen. It is unfair to have one single person make rules for everyone else to follow. A monarchy is not effective for the people because they are the ones living under the rules of one person with no say in what goes on.
The ones living in the land should be the people who decide how they live. This is the case in the United States of America. The US is a democracy, and has the motto E Pluribus Unum, which means “out of many, one.” The citizens of the United States’ ability to control the way they live is made evident in the beginning of the Declaration of Independence. It states, “That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.” (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/declare.asp) In the United States, barriers between races and social classes have been broken because of the rule of the people. The government is composed of a system of checks and balances in order to prevent one branch from having too much power. People live happily and freely in the United States, and are able to express themselves freely, made clear in the First Amendment of the Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/rights1.asp) In a democracy, power is equal, which leads to people being treaty fairly and being happy so they can lead a successful and effective life.
A monarchy is one way to rule, but a democracy is the more effective way for the people. Democracies have proven to be successful and cause great improvements, happiness, and justice.
Works Cited
"Constitution of the United States : Bill of Rights." Web. 14 May 2010. <http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/rights1.asp>.
"Democracy." Wikipedia. Web. 14 May 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy>.
"Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776." Web. 14 May 2010.
<http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/declare.asp>.
"Monarchy." Wikipedia. Web. 14 May 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy>.
"Treasons Act, 1571." Web. 14 May 2010. <http://www.gunpowder-plot.org/archives/eliz2.htm>.
Picture Source:
"E Pluribus Unum." Flickr. Web. 14 May 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/wmliu/82303788/>.
Do you think Leonardo deserved the title "Genius"?
Leonardo deserved the title "Genius" because he was one of the greatest painters of all time. He solved any challenges he faced with ease. He was very strong and had a tremendous amount of spirit and courage. The fame of his name increased so much that his reputation became even greater after he died. Giorgio Vasari said, "Truly marvellous and celestial was Leonardo, the son of Ser Piero da Vinci.." Although he occupied himself with a variety of things, he never stopped drawing. He practiced many branches of art. Vasari stated, "And he was continually making models and designs to show men how to remove mountains with ease, and how to bore them in order to pass from one level to another; and by means of levers, windlasses, and screws, he showed the way to raise and draw great weights, together with methods for emptying harbours, and pumps for removing water from low places, things which his brain never ceased from devising." Leonardo was truly a remarkable man and a genius.
Source:
Vasari, Giorgio. "LIFE OF LEONARDO DA VINCI: Painter and Sculptor of Florence." Internet Medieval Sourcebook. Web. 13 May 2010. <http://ht.ly/1Kaia>.
Picture Source:
"Leonardo Da Vinci." Flickr. Web. 13 May 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/logosinberlin/128800819/>.
Give a brief history of Scotland from the 14th through 16th centuries.
Robert I was king less than seven weeks after killing his rival in 1306. "Robert I battled to win Scottish Independence as King for over 20 years, beginning by winning Scotland back from the English invaders piece by piece." The Scots won their freedom by being victorious at the Battle of Bannockburn, but it took 14 years for them to produce The Declaration of Arbroath, which is the world's first documented declaration of independence. The ending of their declaration is as follows:
"To conclude, we are and shall ever be, as far as duty calls us, ready to do your will in all things, as obedient sons to you as His Vicar; and to Him as the Supreme King and Judge we commit the maintenance of our cause, csating our cares upon Him and firmly trusting that He will inspire us with courage and bring our enemies to nought.
May the Most High preserve you to his Holy Church in holiness and health and grant you length of days.
Given at the monastery of Arbroath in Scotland on the sixth day of the month of April in the year of grace thirteen hundred and twenty and the fifteenth year of the reign of our King aforesaid."
War with England continued for several decades after the death of Bruce. The Stuart Dynasty was established when Robert II came to the throne. The Stuarts ruled Scotland for the remainder of the Middle Ages.
Sources:
"Scotland." Wikipedia. Web. 13 May 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland#Medieval_period>.
"The Declaration of Arbroath (English Translation)." Web. 13 May 2010. <http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/scotland/arbroath_english.html>.
Picture Source:
Flickr. Web. 13 May 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonrising/3449144771/>.
