AP European History Study Notes

REA: The Test Prep AP Teachers Recommend

AP European History Crash Course Overview

  • Complete AP European History course format designed for concise, time-saving review.

  • Targeted content review of material actually tested on the exam.

  • Strategies provided for answering every type of question encountered in the exam.

  • Free online practice exam offered to identify strengths and weaknesses.

AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, involved in neither the production nor endorsement of this material.

Book Details

Author and Publisher

  • By Larry Krieger.

  • Published by Research & Education Association (REA).

  • Website: www.rea.com.

Green Edition Commitment

  • The book is made using an environmentally friendly approach, printed on recycled paper, ensuring compliance with environmental laws and minimizing overall waste.

  • Environmental benefits of the book include:

    • Trees Saved: 6

    • Air Emissions Eliminated: 1,326 pounds

    • Water Saved: 1,269 gallons

    • Solid Waste Eliminated: 391 pounds

Book Structure

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction

  2. Eight Keys for Success on the AP European History Exam

  3. Key Terms

  4. Chronological Review of Major Historical Events

  5. Key Themes and Facts

  6. Test-Taking Strategies

Introduction to the Crash Course

  • Last-minute resource for AP European History students seeking a quick refresher.

  • Structurally organized based on AP European History Course Description outline and actual AP questions.

  • Chapters focused on essential topics likely appearing on the exam, emphasizing efficient study techniques.

  • Key strategies and terms listed to ensure exam readiness.

Eight Keys for Success on the AP European History Exam

1. Understanding the APEURO Scale

  • AP European History exam consists of 180 points: 90 from multiple-choice & 90 from free-response questions.

  • Example Score Ranges from 2004 Released Exam:

    • 5: 126-180 (70% correct)

    • 4: 106-125 (58% correct)

    • 3: 77-105 (42% correct)

    • 2: 60-76 (33% correct)

    • 1: 0-59 (0-32% correct)

2. Understanding the APEURO Topical Themes

  • Exam questions cover three main themes:

    • Intellectual and Cultural History

    • Political and Diplomatic History

    • Social and Economic History

  • One-third of questions focus on cultural/intellectual themes, one-third on political/diplomatic themes, and one-third on social/economic themes.

3. Importance of Released Exams

  • Analysis of released AP and SAT questions aids study focus.

  • Historical topics often repeated include Karl Marx, Edict of Nantes, and mercantilism.

4. Importance of Key Topics

  • Key topics evaluated by the 2004 and 1999 exams show prevalent exam themes:

  • Relevant clusters:

    • Key Terms: 12-15 questions

    • Key Treaties/Agreements: 7-8 questions

    • Key Intellectual Figures: 9-11 questions

    • Russian History: 6-7 questions

5. Free-Response Preparation

  • Free-Response includes a mandatory Document-Based Essay Question (DBQ) worth 40.5 points, and two thematic essays.

  • Strategies for answering thematic essays covered in Chapter 28.

6. Building a Coalition of Points

  • Focus on key terms, diplomatic agreements, intellectual leaders, and major historical movements to accumulate points.

7. Chronological Strategy

  • Chronological chapters provide essential information. Most multiple-choice questions distributed as follows:

    • High Renaissance to French Revolution: 50% (40 questions)

    • Nineteenth Century: 25% (20 questions)

    • Twentieth Century: 25% (20 questions)

8. Supplementing with Official Materials

  • Utilize materials from College Board such as the AP European History Course Description Booklet and released exams.

Key Terms Definitions

Key Definitions Include:

  1. Humanism: Scholarly interest in classical texts; contributed to liberal arts education focusing on the classics.

  2. Christian Humanism: Northern humanism seeking to fuse classical scholarship with Christian values.

  3. New Monarchs: Monarchs in Renaissance Europe who centralized power and built strong bureaucracies.

  4. Mercantilism: Economic theory advocating governmental regulation to enhance national power through trade.

Test-Taking Strategies

Multiple-Choice Question Strategies

  • 80 questions, 55 minutes, worth 50% of exam.

  • Eliminate options when uncertain before guessing.

Identifying Key Themes

  1. Focus on significant historical themes in the content reviewed.

  2. Expect repeat appearances of crucial treaties and events in exam format tests.

Document-Based Essay Aspects

  • The DBQ requires analysis of provided documents, scored on clear thesis, document interpretation, and contextual understanding.

  • Organize thoughts into groups as preparation.

Free-Response Complexity

  • Focus analysis on comparative themes or specific events, ensuring clarity and depth in chapter definitions.

Key Themes and Facts Overview

Important Historical Contexts

  1. The French Revolution: Foundational events in shaping modern state governance.

  2. World Wars I & II: Major geopolitical shifts and their aftermaths, affecting global relations and societal structures.

  3. Post-War Politicization: Rise of modernism and revolutions in governmental and societal frameworks.