In this activity, students will represent their understanding of how democracy has evolved throughout history. Students will research major events and documents that have influenced and shaped the institution of democratic thought and create a timeline of these events. Students should include a description of the event along with the significance the event has had on individual democracies or democratic beliefs. Students should choose five of the events listed below for their timeline, or a teacher can pre-select topics they would like students to cover.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options and adjust the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
For this extension activity, students will create a spider map that represents events that have been detrimental to the spread of global democracy. Although democratic principles are seen by many as a universal right, there have been numerous instances where governments have acted in ways that have eroded or partially weakened the rights and liberties of citizens in a democracy.
Students can focus on specific events that seemingly eroded democratic liberties (e.g. McCarthyism, censorship, removal of habeas corpus) throughout history. For each event, students should create a title for the event, create a visual representation of the event, and a description that summarizes what the event or action was and what aspect of democracy was weakened or perhaps destroyed.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing the events and documents that influenced democratic thought.
Spark student interest by organizing a lively classroom debate about key milestones in the evolution of democracy. This activity deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking as students consider different viewpoints on important events.
Make history come alive by having students research and present as significant figures involved in democratic events. This approach helps students empathize with diverse perspectives and builds presentation skills.
Clarify connections by having students map out how each event or document influenced later developments in democracy. This visual tool supports deeper comprehension and helps students see the bigger picture.
Boost collaboration and reflection by setting up a peer review process where students use specific prompts to give constructive feedback on each other's timelines. This strategy encourages thoughtful analysis and improves final products.
Key events in the evolution of democracy include the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, the French Revolution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Women’s Suffrage Movement. These milestones each expanded rights and shaped modern democratic systems.
Students can create a democracy timeline by selecting significant events, researching their historical context and impact, and arranging them chronologically. Adding short descriptions and visuals helps make the timeline engaging and informative.
Influential documents include the Magna Carta, US Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, English Bill of Rights, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and The Federalist Papers. Each contributed essential principles to modern democracies.
Studying the evolution of democracy helps students understand how rights and freedoms have developed, recognize the struggles for equality, and appreciate the importance of civic participation in sustaining democratic institutions.
Instead of a timeline, teachers can have students create a timeline poster for presentations or a spider map to explore events that weakened democracy. These formats encourage creativity and deeper analysis of historical impacts.