Citizenship Dbq

“Citizenship is the chance to make a difference to the place where you belong.” Charles Handy, an Irish philosopher, once said. Throughout time, citizenship was a dilemma for many people. Back in most empires and/or city states, people were labeled as subjects instead of citizens, until two places changed that. Rome and Athens began to give people the glory of becoming a citizen rather than just a subject. Although these two places both offered citizenship, the two were drastically different. Considering the type of citizens allowed, the government type, and each citizens rights, it is certain that Rome had the more superior system. During the Roman Republic, the empire conquered many other civilizations around them known as modern day as England, Spain, France, etc. The many rulers of this republic were smart about their decisions when allowing conquered people to become citizens of the Roman empire. Unlike Athens, the Romans were more generous with their citizenships but in “measured

In Athens only free, native-born males were granted citizenship. This meant females, children, freed slaves, or people who were native-born could not have the luxury ever holding office in government or to vote. In Rome this was quite different. The empire granted free males, females, children, and sons of freed slaves all to have citizenship. This meant something different for each person who was a citizen because the Roman Republic didn’t offer equal rights. Males could vote and hold public office as well as owning land. The females of Rome could only own land, not vote or hold office. (Document A) This was a better and more effective way for the empire to run because it gave many people chances to have a voice. Although everyone had different rights, Rome offered their citizenship more generously unlike Athens. Overall, Rome was without a doubt had the more preferable