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AP European History Study Guide

Welcome to Elevate AP Exams! This study guide is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the history of Europe, from the Renaissance to the modern day. It covers key events, ideas, movements, and figures that are critical to understanding European history and preparing for the AP European History exam.

Overview of AP European History Exam

The AP European History exam consists of two main sections:

  1. Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions (40% of Exam Score)
    • 55 questions covering European history from the Renaissance to the present, testing your knowledge of key concepts, events, and historical developments.
  2. Section II: Free-Response Questions (60% of Exam Score)
    • 3 questions: One document-based question (DBQ) and two long essay questions (LEQs). These require you to analyze historical documents, develop historical arguments, and write essays that address complex historical issues.

Key Topics and Concepts

1. The Renaissance and Reformation

  • The Renaissance (1300-1600): Study the revival of classical learning, art, and humanism in Italy and Northern Europe. Focus on key figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Understand the impact of the Medici family and the rise of individualism.
  • The Printing Press: Grasp the significance of Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press in spreading Renaissance ideas and Protestant Reformation ideas.
  • The Reformation (1517-1648): Study the causes of the Protestant Reformation, including Martin Luther’s 95 Theses and the development of Protestant denominations (e.g., Lutheranism, Calvinism). Be familiar with the Catholic Counter-Reformation and the role of figures like Ignatius of Loyola and the Council of Trent.
  • Wars of Religion: Understand the religious conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries, such as the French Wars of Religion and the Thirty Years’ War, and their impact on European politics.

2. Absolutism and Constitutionalism

  • Absolutism: Study the rise of absolute monarchs, focusing on rulers like Louis XIV of France and Peter the Great of Russia. Understand the principles of divine right, centralization of power, and the role of the state in daily life.
  • Constitutionalism: Learn about the development of constitutional monarchies, especially in England. Be familiar with key events such as the English Civil War, Glorious Revolution, and the Bill of Rights (1689). Study the role of political philosophers like John Locke and Thomas Hobbes in shaping political thought.
  • The Scientific Revolution (1543-1700): Study the key figures such as Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, and Newton, and the development of new scientific methods that challenged traditional views of the universe.

3. The Enlightenment

  • Philosophical Ideas: Focus on the major ideas of the Enlightenment (1700-1800), including reason, individualism, and natural rights. Key thinkers include Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Kant.
  • The Spread of Enlightenment Ideas: Understand how the Enlightenment ideas influenced political movements and revolutions, especially in France and America. Be familiar with Enlightened Absolutism, including rulers like Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great.

4. The French Revolution and Napoleonic Era

  • Causes of the French Revolution (1789): Study the social, political, and economic causes of the revolution, including the role of the Estates-General, Louis XVI, and the Economic Crisis.
  • Major Events: Be familiar with key events of the French Revolution, such as the Storming of the Bastille, the Reign of Terror, and the rise of Maximilien Robespierre and Napoleon Bonaparte.
  • Napoleon’s Empire: Study the rise of Napoleon, his reforms, military campaigns, and the downfall of his empire. Understand the legacy of the Napoleonic Wars in reshaping European political borders and ideas.

5. Industrial Revolution and Its Impact

  • Industrial Revolution (1750-1850): Study the causes of the Industrial Revolution, including technological innovations, the rise of factories, and changes in agriculture. Be familiar with key figures like James Watt and Eli Whitney.
  • Social and Economic Impact: Understand how the Industrial Revolution led to urbanization, changes in the working class, and the rise of capitalism and socialism. Be familiar with the ideas of Karl Marx and the birth of Marxism.
  • Labor Movements: Study the rise of labor unions and workers’ rights movements as a response to industrialization.

6. Nationalism, Liberalism, and Revolutions

  • Nationalism: Learn about the rise of nationalism in the 19th century, including the unification of Italy under Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Cavour, and the unification of Germany under Otto von Bismarck.
  • Liberalism: Study the political ideologies of liberalism and constitutionalism, focusing on figures like John Stuart Mill and the Revolutions of 1848.
  • The Revolutions of 1848: Study the causes and outcomes of revolutionary movements across Europe in 1848, including the role of economic hardship, nationalism, and the rise of social reform movements.

7. World Wars and Interwar Period

  • World War I (1914-1918): Understand the causes of World War I, including militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. Study key events like the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the trench warfare, and the Treaty of Versailles.
  • The Russian Revolution (1917): Study the causes and effects of the Russian Revolution, including the overthrow of the Tsarist regime, the rise of Bolshevism under Lenin, and the impact of Stalinism on the Soviet Union.
  • World War II (1939-1945): Study the causes of World War II, focusing on fascism, Nazism, and the aggressive actions of Hitler and Mussolini. Be familiar with key events such as the Invasion of Poland, the Holocaust, and the eventual defeat of the Axis powers.
  • Postwar Europe: Understand the aftermath of World War II, including the creation of the United Nations, the Cold War, and the reconstruction of Europe through initiatives like the Marshall Plan.

8. The Cold War and Contemporary Europe

  • The Cold War (1947-1991): Study the ideological, military, and political struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union. Be familiar with key events like the Berlin Blockade, Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam War, and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
  • European Integration: Understand the development of European integration, including the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC) and its transformation into the European Union (EU). Study the impact of globalization on Europe’s political and economic structure.
  • Contemporary Issues: Study the challenges facing modern Europe, including the rise of populism, Brexit, migration issues, and the ongoing debates about European unity and sovereignty.

Study and Test-Taking Strategies

  1. Review Key Documents and Treaties:
    • Be familiar with key historical documents, such as the Magna Carta, Treaty of Versailles, and Treaty of Rome. Understand the significance of treaties and declarations in shaping European history.
  2. Practice MCQs:
    • Review practice multiple-choice questions to familiarize yourself with the types of questions you may encounter. Focus on identifying key events and their impact on European history.
  3. Analyze FRQ Prompts:
    • Practice writing essays that compare and contrast historical events, analyze causes and effects, and connect historical trends. Ensure you can support your arguments with evidence from specific events or historical figures.
  4. Create Timelines:
    • Make timelines of key events and developments in European history to understand their relationships and chronological order.
  5. Group Study:
    • Join a study group to discuss key events, movements, and historical debates. Talking through concepts with peers can help deepen your understanding.

Final Exam Checklist

  • Understand key historical periods from the Renaissance to the present
  • Review important political movements and ideologies (e.g., nationalism, liberalism, socialism)
  • Be familiar with significant revolutions and wars, their causes and effects
  • Master the art of writing analytical essays for FRQs
  • Practice answering multiple-choice questions and using historical evidence effectively