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HIST 1421 - Learning Journal Unit 3

The document discusses Athens' ineffective handling of the Peloponnesian War, highlighting strategic miscalculations, internal political strife, and the erosion of alliances as key factors in their failure. It also asserts that Athenian democracy was overthrown post-war, leading to the establishment of a pro-Spartan oligarchy, although democracy was later restored. The aftermath of the war marked a significant decline in Athenian power and the vitality of its democratic institutions.

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joel konse
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4 views3 pages

HIST 1421 - Learning Journal Unit 3

The document discusses Athens' ineffective handling of the Peloponnesian War, highlighting strategic miscalculations, internal political strife, and the erosion of alliances as key factors in their failure. It also asserts that Athenian democracy was overthrown post-war, leading to the establishment of a pro-Spartan oligarchy, although democracy was later restored. The aftermath of the war marked a significant decline in Athenian power and the vitality of its democratic institutions.

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joel konse
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University of the People

Learning Journal Unit 3

Instructor – Rita Yeboah

HIST 1421 - Greek and Roman Civilization

Athens' Handling of the Peloponnesian War and the Overthrow of Democracy

1. Athens could not effectively handle the Peloponnesian War, do you agree? Why/why

not?

I agree that Athens did not effectively handle the Peloponnesian War. While the war was

complex and multifaceted, several key factors highlight Athens' shortcomings:

 Overconfidence and Strategic Miscalculations: The initial Athenian strategy, as

outlined by Pericles, was primarily defensive, relying on their naval superiority and

strong walls to withstand Spartan land attacks. However, the devastating plague that

struck Athens early in the war disrupted this strategy and led to a more aggressive

approach under new leadership. This shift resulted in disastrous expeditions like the

Sicilian Expedition, which drained Athenian resources and manpower (Cartwright, 2018).

 Internal Political Strife: Athenian democracy, while a remarkable achievement, was not

without its flaws. The war exacerbated existing political divisions and led to frequent

changes in leadership, often driven by popular sentiment rather than strategic

considerations. This instability hindered the development and implementation of a

consistent war strategy (Boundless, 2022).


 The Delian League and its Discontents: Athens' leadership of the Delian League,

initially formed to counter Persian aggression, became increasingly domineering. This

alienated many allies and contributed to their defection to Sparta, weakening Athens'

position in the war (Boundless, 2022).

 Spartan Resilience and External Factors: Sparta, with its strong land army and

disciplined society, proved to be a formidable opponent. Additionally, Persian financial

support to Sparta played a significant role in tilting the balance of power in their favor

(Epimetheus, 2018).

Overall, while Athens had initial advantages, its strategic miscalculations, internal political

turmoil, and the erosion of its alliances contributed to its inability to effectively manage the war.

2. Is it correct to say that democracy in Athens was overthrown after the war?

Yes, it is largely accurate to say that Athenian democracy was overthrown after the war.

Following their defeat, Sparta imposed a harsh peace treaty on Athens. This included the

installation of a pro-Spartan oligarchy known as the "Thirty Tyrants" who ruled with brutality

and terror (Scaliger, 2021).

While this oligarchy was eventually overthrown and democracy was restored, it marked a

significant turning point in Athenian history. The war had exposed the vulnerabilities of

Athenian democracy, and the subsequent period saw a decline in its vitality and influence.

The Peloponnesian War not only resulted in the physical defeat of Athens but also dealt a severe

blow to its democratic institutions. Although democracy was eventually reinstated, the war's
aftermath marked a turning point, leading to a gradual decline in Athenian power and

prominence on the world stage.

References

 Boundless. (2022). Boundless world history 1: Ancient civilizations – enlightenment -

Version 35. Boundless.com.

 Cartwright, M. (2018, May 2). Peloponnesian war. In World History Encyclopedia.

 Epimetheus. (2018, June 5). Athens vs Sparta (Peloponnesian war explained in 6

minutes) [Video]. YouTube.

 Scaliger, C. (2021, December 13). ATHENS: A cautionary tale of democracy's failures:

The Athenian experiment with democracy, including the Greek state's rise to prominence

and its eventual fall, provides valuable lessons for Americans today. The New American,

37(23).

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