AP European History Test Review

AP European History

A course covering European history, culminating in an AP exam.

Personal Progress Check

Formative assessments containing multiple-choice and free-response questions to identify areas of focus for students.

Renaissance and Exploration

A historical period from c. 1450 to c. 1648 with a weighting of 10-15% on the AP Exam.

Contextualization

The process of placing historical events within a broader context.

Italian Renaissance

A cultural movement in Italy during the Renaissance period, emphasizing art and humanism.

Northern Renaissance

The Renaissance that occurred in Northern Europe, characterized by different artistic and cultural developments.

Technological Advances

Innovations that occurred during the Renaissance, contributing to exploration and discovery.

Columbian Exchange

The transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Americas and Europe following Columbus's voyages.

Age of Reformation

A period from c. 1450 to c. 1618 marked by religious transformation and the Protestant Reformation.

Luther and the Protestant Reformation

The movement initiated by Martin Luther's 95 Theses, challenging the practices of the Catholic Church.

Wars of Religion

Conflicts in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, primarily between Protestant and Catholic states.

Industrialization

The transition to new manufacturing processes in Europe from c. 1815 to c. 1914.

Social Effects of Industrialization

Changes in societal structures and daily life resulting from industrial growth.

Causation in the Age of Industrialization

Understanding the causes and effects of events during the Industrial Revolution.

19th-Century Social Reform

Movements aimed at improving societal conditions during the 19th century.

Document-based question

A type of free-response question on the AP exam requiring analysis of primary sources.

Mannerism

An artistic style that emerged in the late Renaissance, characterized by exaggerated proportions and complex poses.

Baroque Art

An artistic style known for its dramatic use of light and color, prevalent in the 17th century.

Technological and Scientific Innovation

Advancements in technology and science that influenced European society and economy.

Causation in the Renaissance

The study of causes and effects during the Renaissance period.

Economic and Commercial Developments

Changes in trade and economy during significant historical periods, such as the Renaissance and Industrialization.

Cultural and Intellectual Developments

The evolution of ideas, art, and culture throughout European history.

The Hundred Years' War

The conflict began in 1337 between France and England over succession to the French throne, leading to England losing its territory in France and the rise in nationalism.

The Black Plague

In 1347, flea-infested rats made their way into Europe, leading to increased freedom for peasants/serfs and the collapse of the political system known as feudalism.

The Roman Catholic Church

This institution filled the political void after the fall of the Roman Empire, but its power was weakened due to the Western/Papal Schism, the split within the Church over who is the true Pope.

The Printing Press

Invented by Gutenberg, the printing press contributed to a revival of learning, an increase in literacy, and an increase in writing in the local vernacular language, rather than Latin.

The Rise of Secularism and Humanism

Due to the revival of Greek and Roman texts, there was a renewed interest in individualism, shifting the focus on science away from solely studying religion/theology.

The Renaissance

In order to show off their new wealth, patrons commissioned art; the Italian Renaissance focused on the 'classical ideal,' while the Northern Renaissance focused on realism/naturalism.

Motivations and Technologies of Exploration

Advances in navigation and cartography allowed Europeans to sail across the Atlantic, motivated by gold, glory, and God.

The Treaty of Tordesillas

To prevent conflict on the Iberian peninsula, the Pope marked a line of demarcation; Portugal could not explore west of the line, and Spain could not explore east.

The Columbian Exchange

The connected hemispheres led to a great exchange of animals, plants, peoples, and ideas, with European countries profiting due to their new mercantilist economic policies.

Agricultural Practices in Central Europe

Central Europeans relied on the three-field crop rotation, which stalled agricultural growth; Europeans gained more nutrient-dense crops from their colonies, such as the potato.

The Triangle Trade

The influx of wealth from the American colonies ushered in the Commercial Revolution, with innovations in banking leading to the rise of trading cities like Amsterdam in the Dutch Republic.

Changing Economic Systems in Europe

Europe shifted from mercantilist policies to the creation of a market economy, with the demand for luxury goods like tea, silk, and tobacco increasing the rise in consumerism.

New Monarchs Consolidation and Maintaining Power

Monarchs in France intentionally weakened the power of the nobility, while monarchs in Spain utilized the religion of Catholicism to support their rule.

19th-Century Perspectives and Political Developments

Contextualizes the political landscape and ideological movements of the 19th century.

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of a particular nation, often leading to the desire for national independence.

National Unification

The process of uniting various states or territories into a single nation, often seen in the context of 19th-century Europe.

Darwinism

A theory of biological evolution developed by Charles Darwin, emphasizing natural selection.

Social Darwinism

A social theory that applies the concept of natural selection to human societies, often used to justify imperialism and inequality.

The Age of Progress and Modernity

A period characterized by significant advancements in science, technology, and social organization.

New Imperialism

A phase of colonial expansion by European powers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by economic, political, and cultural motivations.

Imperialism's Global Effects

The widespread impact of imperialism on colonized nations, including economic exploitation and cultural changes.

19th-Century Culture and Arts

Refers to the artistic and cultural movements that emerged during the 19th century, reflecting the social and political changes of the time.

Causation in 19th-Century Perspectives

The analysis of causes and effects in the political developments and ideologies of the 19th century.

The English Civil War

The conflict officially started in 1642 when Charles I and his army fought against the English Parliament.

Oliver Cromwell

He ruled as 'Lord Protector' after the Royalists were defeated in the English Civil War.

The Glorious Revolution

This bloodless overthrow was justified by the signing of the English Bill of Rights in 1689, which protected England from absolutism.

The Dutch Republic

Established after a revolt against the Habsburg monarchy, it was ruled by Stadtholders and developed as an oligarchy.

Putting-out industry

An economic practice where laborers produced items for merchants or workshop owners, leading to the development of a market economy.

Mercantilism

European countries began to experience a commercial revolution relying on resources from their American colonies.

Transatlantic Trade Route

A trading system that prospered due to increased demand for items and included the mass movement of enslaved people along the Middle Passage.

Partition of Poland

Due to their inability to consolidate authority over the nobility, Poland was partitioned by its neighbors Russia, Prussia, and Austria.

Battle of Vienna

Austrian forces were able to fend off the encroaching Ottoman Empire.

Louis XIV

Known as the Sun King, he consolidated incredible power over his subjects in France.

Absolutism in Spain

The Philips limited the power of the nobles while preserving their social privileges and legal rights.

Peter I of Russia

Sought to westernize Russia's traditional culture through adopting new practices, including changing fashion and developing formalized education systems.

Catherine II of Russia

Continued the trend of westernization initiated by Peter I.

Heliocentric theory

Proposed by Copernicus and proved by Galileo, it challenged the Church's stance that the earth was at the center of the solar system.

William Harvey

Challenged Galen's view by showing that the circulatory system in the body is integrated.

Scientific Method

Developed from the work of Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes on inductive and deductive reasoning.

Kepler's Three Laws of Planetary Motion

Noted that planets orbit in an elliptical pattern.

Commercial rivalries

Influenced diplomacy and led to warfare/conflict among European states, culminating in British control of India in the 1700s.

Causes of the French Revolution

Caused by long-term social problems, like the treatment of the Third Estate, and short-term financial/economic crises, including bread shortages and increased taxation.

First phase of the French Revolution

Resulted in the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.

Moderate phase of the French Revolution

Saw the abolition of provinces as well as the Constitution of 1791 and a Civil Constitution for the Clergy.

Radical phase of the French Revolution

Characterized by Robespierre's Reign of Terror.

Reign of Terror

The radical phase of the revolution characterized by Robespierre's leadership.

March on Versailles

An event where women were actively involved in the revolution.

Mass conscription

The raising of revolutionary armies to bring changes in France to the rest of Europe.

liberte, egalite, fraternite

The rallying cry of revolutionaries in the French colony of Saint-Domingue.

Toussaint L'Ouverture

The general who led revolutionaries in Saint-Domingue to fight for independence.

Haiti

The nation that became independent in 1804 as a result of the revolution.

Concordat of 1801

The agreement through which Napoleon reestablished standing with the Catholic Church.

Civil Code

Napoleon's codification of laws that inspired similar law codes across Europe.

Lycees

Schools created by Napoleon as part of his reforms.

Censorship

Actions taken by Napoleon to curtail women's rights during his reign.

Nationalism

The rise inspired by Napoleon's impressive tactics during his conquests in Europe.

Congress of Vienna

A meeting of European leaders to bring peace after the Napoleonic Wars.

Klemens von Metternich

The head of the Congress of Vienna who promoted conservatism.

Conservatism

The ideology adhered to by European leaders at the Congress of Vienna, focusing on maintaining the status quo.

Romanticism

A movement that focused on emotion as a response to the Enlightenment's rationalism.

Methodism

A revival in religion concurrent with the Romantic movement, led by John Wesley.

Industrial Revolution

A period that began in the mid-18th century in England due to government support and mechanization.

Bessemer Process

A method for creating steel that characterized the second wave of industrialization.

Proletariat

The working class that emerged due to social changes during industrialization.

Bourgeoisie

The new middle class that emerged during the Industrial Revolution.

Cult of domesticity

A societal norm that encouraged traditional gender roles for bourgeoisie women.

Concert of Europe

A system led by Metternich that adhered to conservative values to maintain the status quo.

Revolutions of 1848

A series of uprisings that challenged conservatism in Europe.

Tsar Alexander II

The Russian leader who pushed for modernization through social and economic reforms.

Karl Marx

A writer and philosopher who critiqued capitalism and argued that history is the history of class struggle.

Anarchists

Individuals who viewed the government as unnecessary.

Feminists

Advocates who pushed for legal, economic, and political rights for women.

Zionism

A form of Jewish nationalism formulated by Theodor Herzl in response to increasing anti-Semitism across Europe.

Unification of Italy

The process completed when Victor Emmanuel II was crowned the King of Italy, facilitated by Garibaldi's military campaigns, Cavour's diplomacy, and Mazzini's Young Italy.

Petrarch

Crowned as poet laureate in Rome in 1341 for writing Africa, an epic poem about the Roman general Scipio Africanus.

Johannes Gutenberg

Printed a vernacular German poem on his printing press in 1450.

Fall of Constantinople

The Byzantine capital fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, impacting trade routes and leading Greek scholars to flee to Italy with classical texts.

Spanish Reconquista

Completed in 1492 when the Kingdom of Granada fell to Spanish forces, leading to the expulsion of Muslims and Jews from Spain.