What in history triggered democracy in government?

Answer 1

greeks invented democracy

Answer 2

Democracy is quite a newly made concept, the Greek form the first republic, which was the base onto which modern democracy is built. But the real event that trigger the rise of democratic governments, are that the aristocracy of the time has been overrun by the merchants that becomes wealthier and more powerfull than the royal familly of the time (18th century in France). The events of the French revolution has happened because of this reality, and the US take the idea from there to apply it for their own government, thus triggering the American revolution (it is a reason that motivate the French to help the Americans, even if they did not like the British they have influenced American leaders of the time).
So democracy are merely the organization that provide the merchant class with what they need and fight for their interest.
We can call this, the democracy of the riches..

Answer 3

The event that set off the thinking for modern, Western democracy was The Black Death of 1353-4. While there were limited amounts of democratic rule earlier, as has been discussed by others, all of that was long gone by 500 A.D., by which time the Roman Empire had fallen as a political and military force. Europe became mired in the so-called Dark Ages and was owned and operated by royalty, nobility, and the church.

Then came The Black Death. Like a powerful wind it swept across Europe, killing everyone in its path. Everyone. It killed kings, dukes, barons, bishops, priests, and serfs. The all-encompassing nature of the catastrophe was the spark that made some individuals think that all people are pretty much the same. Kings and lords and bishops were just as frail as the serfs they were commanding. Clearly, none of them had any special relationship or protection from God as a result of their positions.

The slogan that displays this new thinking was:

When Adam did delve
And Eve did span,
Who then was
the gentleman?

(The author was John Ball, I believe.)

This was radical stuff for a feudalistic society. But, within a couple of centuries, you had the beginnings of a more concrete philosopy supporting the trend toward democracy. Once the Renaissance and the Reformation hit Europe, the idea began to really take hold in some areas. Toss in the printing press and the simple fact that for kings to have the money to wage their wars they had to beg for it from the growing merchant class and you have the tools and circumstances necessary for what we think of as democracy.

Answer 4

The first democracies were in ancient Sumerian city states. But records from that time period are limited that little is known about how they actually functioned.

There were also democracy and republic based governments in India prior to the Greek city states.

The Greek city states are often given credit for democracy because we have far more knowledge of how it worked there.

Answer 5

Greece, was the first to be successful at democracy. The movie 300 is about the beginnings in that region. Good Luck

Answer 6

I think that Greek democracy was the first architype.(if not a little much like a republic)

However, British constitutional monarchy was the first modern example of Democracy :D
..
But of course i have read about numberous ancient civillizations who had a democracy of sorts.

Answer 7

Don't know what started it.
But I know what destroyed the Great Roman Empire, which was considered a Democracy:
When the people realized that they could vote themselves Hand-Outs & Social Programs.
Remind anyone of the US today?
If we people, didn't vote for Hand-Outs, we wouldn't have any Democrats in Office.

Answer 8

Essentially, people were sick and tired of not having a say in what the people with power do with their lives, so they said, "We're taking over here, we're telling you what to do now instead of the other way around."

I'm really hoping this isn't a homework question, because if it is, I've broken my own policy.

Answer 9

Read 'The Republic' written by Plato, good start

Answer 10

The Greeks invented it about six or seven thousand years ago.