How important for the development of Athenian Democracy was the period from 510 to 480 BC? Give reasons for your views.

The birth and growth of Athenian Democracy saw drastic changes occur for Greek life economically and socially, especially during 510 to 480 BC, hence why this era is said to be when the most radical reforms occurred due to archons such as Cleisthenes who attached people by proposing political power to all. Therefore some would consider this era to be the most important in the development of Athenian democracy despite Solons attempts previously.
The consequences of the expulsion of Hippias in 511 BC proved to be vital in Athenian Democracy being developed. The citizens of Athens were becoming restless after the cruel reign of Hippias and were determined for a change. The rival leaders for political power were “Isagoras, son of Tisander, a partisan of the tyrants and Clesithenes who belonged to the family of the Alcmenidea. Cleisthenes was beginning to lose the political battle after Isagoras getting the Archonship in 508 BC, he decided to appeal to the masses and put forward a measure by which all free people in Attica should be legally placed on the citizen roles. This alarmed Isagoras who, after appealing to King Cleomenes, asserted that any member of the Alcmeaonid family is to lose their citizenship and for the Council to become an oligarchy of 300 Isagoras supporters. The council resists causing the Spartans to seize the sacred Acropolis but the Athenians rose against them which eventually lead to Cleomenes backing down humiliatingly, Cleisthenes was then recalled from exile. This event is very important for developing Athenian democracy because it empathises how the Athenian public wanted democracy rather than a strict rule after Cleisthenes that gave them the idea of democracy in the first place.
During Cleisthenes reforms he made some radical changes which affected all of Athens. He quickly recognised Solon failed to change the system of Ionian tribes which form the basis of the government; tribes were based on kinship and therefore dominated by aristocratic families which wouldn’t represent all of Athens. Cleisthenes replaces these tribes with ten new tribes which were determined on territory, he did this to mix up the people so that more men had a share in running the state. First Cleisthenes divided the people into appropriate numbers of demes according to population and then recognised they were distributed into three sections; city, coast and inland. The introduction of demes proved to be very important as they became the basic units around which the new tribal system and each unit now had a local government with an assembly, officials, treasurers and leaders who were elected. This contributed to minimising the aristocratic familes power in politics and allows the citizens of Athens to have experience in political situations. Forming the ten tribes meant loyalty was based around these tribes than the local aristocaratic families which made it very difficult for an individual to seize power. The new council of 500 was based on the tribes and was available to go to by everyone but the thetes, the council was important in decision making and therefore as most citizens could now attend, it allowed the public to have a greater say in the issues of Athens, something which previously couldn’t be done.
Ostracism was another important aspect on further improving democracy for Athens as it gave the opportunity to exile someone of political significance for ten years after a vote of 6000 was collected. Ostracism was a useful was of removing a threat from a person who was in a position to establish a tyranny. It allowed the Athenian public to have a greater say in the decisions that would ultimately affect them as it is their votes which count and also helped them feel safe in those who held the power. The use of lot was becoming increasingly popular as from 487 BC archons would be selected from one which shows the change in power to the new strategoi.
The final aspect of the formation of democracy is through the importance of the navy for protection after the battle of Marathon. Themistocles realised Athenian power was in the sea and after finding silver in the mines in 483 BC, he insisted on developing a strong fleet which aided the victory at the battle of Salamis but fearful of a Persian revenge attack, the Delian League was formed which eventually becomes the Athenian empire which proves to be very helpful in terms of trade. The thetes played a major role in this as they rowed the ships in the navy and therefore as a class who once had a very small role in Athenian society were now needed to help the trade of Athens, democracy was proved to be successful.
In conclusion the era between 510 and 480 BC were vital in the development of Athenian democracy, yes it is proven that Solon and the Pisistratid tyranny set the foundations of democracy before 510 BC due to the “shaking off the burdens” and trying to be fair, but in both their rules, power still remained with the aristocratic families both economically and politically. The Cleisthenes reforms were the reforms which gave power to a larger range of social classes including the thetes which all together gave the citizens of Athens a say in government which they once did not.