Unit I Possible Short Answer Questions

1. What did Machiavelli believe is the most important trait for a ruler? What rulers do you see using these traits? Do you agree with Machiavelli’s ideas on governing?

• Machiavelli’s belief:

  • A ruler must prioritize being feared over being loved to maintain power.

  • Should use cunning and pragmatism to achieve goals (The Prince).

• Historical examples:

  • Louis XIV and Napoleon Bonaparte relied on fear and control.

• Personal agreement:

  • Agree: Practical and effective in unstable times.

  • Disagree: Long-term reliance on fear may lead to unrest.

2. Discuss the emergence of the Protestant Reformation. Besides Luther, who were 2 central players, and what was their role in the Reformation?

• Emergence: Sparked by Martin Luther's 95 Theses (1517) criticizing indulgences.

• Two central players:

  1. John Calvin: Predestination theology and Geneva’s theocracy.

  2. Henry VIII: Created the Anglican Church after breaking with the Pope.

3. Compare and contrast the Renaissance inside and outside of Italy.

• Italian Renaissance: Secular humanism, classical themes, and perspective in art (e.g., Michelangelo’s David).

• Northern Renaissance: Religious reform, Christian humanism, and detailed realism (e.g., Albrecht Dürer).

• Similarities: Revival of classical ideas and focus on human potential.

4. Discuss how Renaissance ideas are expressed in the Italian art of the period, referring to two specific works and artists.

• Key works:

  1. Michelangelo’s David: Individualism and classical form.

  2. Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper: Perspective and human emotion.

5. Analyze the factors that contributed to the increasing centralization of Spain and the factors that contributed to the continuing fragmentation of Italy in the period 1450–1550.

• Spain:

  • Unified by Ferdinand and Isabella’s marriage.

  • Reconquista and Catholic Church (Inquisition).

• Italy:

  • City-states like Florence and Venice fragmented by rivalries.

6. Describe and analyze the ways in which 16th-century Catholics defended their faith against the Protestant Reformation.

• Council of Trent: Reaffirmed doctrines and addressed corruption.

• Jesuits: Education and missionary work to counter Protestantism.

7. Discuss the relationship between politics and religion by examining the wars of religion of the Dutch Revolt.

• Cause: Calvinist Dutch opposed Spanish Catholic rule under Philip II.

• Result: Political independence and religious freedom in the Dutch Republic.

8. “The Protestant Reformation was primarily an economic event.” Defend or refute this statement.

• Defend: Economic grievances (Church taxes).

• Refute: Primarily a religious and political movement against Church corruption.

9. What were the consequences of the Peace of Westphalia for German Unity and religious freedom?

• German states remained fragmented.

• Calvinism was added to the Peace of Augsburg's recognized religions.

10. During the Thirty Years’ War, what shift took place in the motives of European nations for starting and conducting wars?

• Shift from religious to political motives (e.g., France supporting Protestants to weaken Habsburgs).

11. Was the French Wars of Religion a victory for the Catholics or Protestants?

• Mixed outcome: Catholics under Henry IV secured dominance, but Protestants gained toleration via the Edict of Nantes.

12. List three Tudor monarchs and explain each one’s significance.

1. Henry VIII: Initiated English Reformation.

2. Mary I: Restored Catholicism; persecuted Protestants.

3. Elizabeth I: Defeated the Spanish Armada and established Anglicanism.

Unit II Possible Essays

1. Explain the difference between parliamentary monarchy and political absolutism.

• Parliamentary monarchy: England; power shared with Parliament (e.g., William and Mary).

• Political absolutism: France; centralized power under monarch (e.g., Louis XIV).

2. What factors contributed to the Glorious Revolution in England?

• Events:

  • James II’s Catholicism alienated Protestant elites.

  • William and Mary invited to rule after James fled.

• Result: Constitutional monarchy established.

3. Discuss the contributions of women to the Scientific Revolution.

• Women like Maria Winkelmann (astronomy) and Margaret Cavendish (philosophy) contributed despite marginalization.

4. Describe the four stages of European contact with the rest of the world since the Renaissance.

1. Exploration (15th–16th centuries).

2. Colonization.

3. Imperialism (19th century).

4. Decolonization (20th century).

5. Compare Hobbes and Locke.

• Hobbes: Absolute monarchy (e.g., Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan).

• Locke: Natural rights and limited government (Two Treatises of Government).

6. Why is Peter the Great considered an absolute ruler?

• Reforms modernized Russia.

• Centralized power.

• Established St. Petersburg as a capital.

7. Give changes Louis XIV made politically, socially, and economically.

• Politically: Centralized power.

• Socially: Built Versailles to control the nobility.

• Economically: Supported mercantilism under Colbert.

8. Contrast the philosophies of Bacon and Descartes.

• Bacon: Empiricism and scientific method.

• Descartes: Rationalism and deductive reasoning.

9. Why did the Catholic Church feel threatened by the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment?

• Challenged biblical authority (e.g., Galileo’s heliocentrism).

10. How was the Seven Years’ War a global war?

• Fought in Europe, America, and Asia.

• Major colonial powers like Britain and France involved.

Unit III Possible Essays

1. Why was the Estates General’s voting system controversial?

• Voting by estate (not population) favored the 1st and 2nd Estates over the 3rd.

2. What political advantage did Napoleon gain by making peace with Pope Pius VII?

• Secured legitimacy and reduced opposition from Catholics.

3. Why did France go to war in 1792?

• European monarchies aimed to crush revolutionary ideas.

4. “The French Revolution began to eat its own children.” Explain.

• Revolutionaries like Robespierre turned on each other during the Reign of Terror.

5. Did Louis XVI’s actions contribute to the French Revolution?

• Yes, his financial mismanagement and indecisiveness exacerbated tensions.

6. “Nationalism led to Napoleon’s downfall.” Assess.

• Local resistance in Spain and Germany fueled by nationalism weakened Napoleon’s empire.

7. How did Jacques-Louis David influence the French Revolution?

• Works like The Death of Marat glorified revolutionary ideals.

Unit IV Possible Essays

1. How did rulers suppress nationalism and liberalism between 1815 and 1848?

• Examples:

  1. Metternich’s censorship and Carlsbad Decrees.

  2. Use of military force (e.g., crushing Italian uprisings).

2. Compare and contrast Napoleon I and Metternich.

• Napoleon: Expanded nationalism; centralized power.

• Metternich: Suppressed nationalism; conservative diplomacy.

3. Were the Revolutions of 1848 successful? Why or why not?

• Failures: Revolutions suppressed (e.g., Hungary).

• Successes: Sparked future reforms in some areas.

Unit I Possible Short Answer Questions

1. What did Machiavelli believe is the most important trait for a ruler? What rulers do you see using these traits? Do you agree with Machiavelli’s ideas on governing?

2. Discuss the emergence of the Protestant Reformation. Besides Luther, who were 2 central players, and what was their role in the Reformation?

3. Compare and contrast the Renaissance inside and outside of Italy.

4. Discuss how Renaissance ideas are expressed in the Italian art of the period, referring to two specific works and artists.

5. Analyze the factors that contributed to the increasing centralization of Spain and the factors that contributed to the continuing fragmentation of Italy in the period 1450–1550.

6. Describe and analyze the ways in which 16th-century Catholics defended their faith against the Protestant Reformation.

7. Discuss the relationship between politics and religion by examining the wars of religion of the Dutch Revolt.

8. “The Protestant Reformation was primarily an economic event.” Defend or refute this statement.

9. What were the consequences of the Peace of Westphalia for German Unity and religious freedom?

10. During the Thirty Years’ War, what shift took place in the motives of European nations for starting and conducting wars?

11. Was the French Wars of Religion a victory for the Catholics or Protestants?

12. List three Tudor monarchs and explain each one’s significance.

Unit II Possible Essays

1. Explain the difference between parliamentary monarchy and political absolutism.

2. What factors contributed to the Glorious Revolution in England?

3. Discuss the contributions of women to the Scientific Revolution.

4. Describe the four stages of European contact with the rest of the world since the Renaissance.

5. Compare Hobbes and Locke.

6. Why is Peter the Great considered an absolute ruler?

7. Give changes Louis XIV made politically, socially, and economically.

8. Contrast the philosophies of Bacon and Descartes.

9. Why did the Catholic Church feel threatened by the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment?

10. How was the Seven Years’ War a global war?

Unit III Possible Essays

1. Why was the Estates General’s voting system controversial?

2. What political advantage did Napoleon gain by making peace with Pope Pius VII?

3. Why did France go to war in 1792?

4. “The French Revolution began to eat its own children.” Explain.

5. Did Louis XVI’s actions contribute to the French Revolution?

6. “Nationalism led to Napoleon’s downfall.” Assess.

7. How did Jacques-Louis David influence the French Revolution?

Unit IV Possible Essays

1. How did rulers suppress nationalism and liberalism between 1815 and 1848?

2. Compare and contrast Napoleon I and Metternich.

3. Were the Revolutions of 1848 successful? Why or why not.

ALL Unit I Possible Short Answer Questions listed below (WITHOUT ANSWERS)

1. What did Machiavelli believe is the most important trait for a ruler? What rulers do you see using these traits? Do you agree with Machiavelli’s ideas on governing?

2. Discuss the emergence of the Protestant Reformation. Besides Luther, who were 2 central players, and what was their role in the Reformation?

3. Compare and contrast the Renaissance inside and outside of Italy.

4. Discuss how Renaissance ideas are expressed in the Italian art of the period, referring to two specific works and artists.

5. Analyze the factors that contributed to the increasing centralization of Spain and the factors that contributed to the continuing fragmentation of Italy in the period 1450–1550.

6. Describe and analyze the ways in which 16th-century Catholics defended their faith against the Protestant Reformation.

7. Discuss the relationship between politics and religion by examining the wars of religion of the Dutch Revolt.

8. “The Protestant Reformation was primarily an economic event.” Defend or refute this statement.

9. What were the consequences of the Peace of Westphalia for German Unity and religious freedom?

10. During the Thirty Years’ War, what shift took place in the motives of European nations for starting and conducting wars?

11. Was the French Wars of Religion a victory for the Catholics or Protestants?

12. List three Tudor monarchs and explain each one’s significance.

Unit II Possible Essays

1. Explain the difference between parliamentary monarchy and political absolutism.

2. What factors contributed to the Glorious Revolution in England?

3. Discuss the contributions of women to the Scientific Revolution.

4. Describe the four stages of European contact with the rest of the world since the Renaissance.

5. Compare Hobbes and Locke.

6. Why is Peter the Great considered an absolute ruler?

7. Give changes Louis XIV made politically, socially, and economically.

8. Contrast the philosophies of Bacon and Descartes.

9. Why did the Catholic Church feel threatened by the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment?

10. How was the Seven Years’ War a global war?

Unit III Possible Essays

1. Why was the Estates General’s voting system controversial?

2. What political advantage did Napoleon gain by making peace with Pope Pius VII?

3. Why did France go to war in 1792?

4. “The French Revolution began to eat its own children.” Explain.

5. Did Louis XVI’s actions contribute to the French Revolution?

6. “Nationalism led to Napoleon’s downfall.” Assess.

7. How did Jacques-Louis David influence the French Revolution?

Unit IV Possible Essays

1. How did rulers suppress nationalism and liberalism between 1815 and 1848?

2. Compare and contrast Napoleon I and Metternich.

3. Were the Revolutions of 1848 successful? Why or why not.