AP World History: Modern Study Guide

The AP World History: Modern exam consists of two main sections:

Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions (40% of Exam Score)
This section contains 55 questions designed to test your understanding of world history, focusing on the thematic and chronological aspects of the curriculum.
Section II: Free-Response Questions (60% of Exam Score)
This section includes 3 questions: one Document-Based Question (DBQ), one Long Essay Question (LEQ), and one Comparative Question.

The exam is divided into 6 historical periods, which cover the development of the modern world.

The Rise of Islamic Empires: Study the Islamic Caliphates and their influence, including the Abbasid Caliphate, Mongol invasions, and the spread of Islam across Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Feudalism in Europe: Understand the social, political, and economic structure of medieval Europe, including the role of manorialism, the Catholic Church, and vassals.
China’s Yuan and Ming Dynasties: Learn about the rise of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan, the Yuan Dynasty, and the cultural and political shifts during the Ming Dynasty.
Mesoamerican Civilizations: Study the Aztec and Maya civilizations in the Americas, including their systems of governance, religion, and innovations.

Age of Exploration and Colonization: Understand the motivations behind European exploration, including the Spanish Empire, Portuguese explorations, and the establishment of trade routes to the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
The Atlantic Slave Trade: Learn about the causes and impact of the transatlantic slave trade on Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
Gunpowder Empires: Study the rise of powerful Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires, their economic systems, and their military innovations.
The Protestant Reformation and Catholic Counter-Reformation: Understand the theological differences between Catholicism and Protestantism and how the Reformation led to religious and political changes in Europe.
The Enlightenment: Study the philosophical movements of the Enlightenment, including the ideas of Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau, and how they influenced political thought and revolutions.

The Industrial Revolution: Learn about the causes of industrialization, the development of new technologies, and the social and economic impacts on society, especially in Europe and the United States.
Imperialism and Colonialism: Study the New Imperialism of European powers, including the Scramble for Africa, British imperialism in India, and the impact of imperialism on colonies.
Revolutions and Nationalism: Understand the causes and consequences of major revolutions, such as the American Revolution, French Revolution, Haitian Revolution, and Latin American Revolutions. Study the rise of nationalism and its role in the decline of empires.
Social and Economic Movements: Learn about movements for workers' rights, the Abolition of Slavery, and early feminist movements. Explore the effects of these movements on society, including labor unions and suffrage movements.
The Rise of Global Trade: Study the effects of the global economy and the development of new markets, trade routes, and the spread of new technologies such as the telegraph and steamships.

World Wars: Understand the causes and consequences of World War I and World War II, including the role of nationalism, militarism, and imperialism in the start of these wars, and their global effects on politics, economies, and societies.
The Cold War: Study the ideological struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union, key events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the eventual fall of the Soviet Union.
Decolonization: Learn about the processes of decolonization in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, including key independence movements and leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Kwame Nkrumah, and Nelson Mandela.
Globalization: Understand the rise of globalization in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, focusing on global trade, technology, the spread of culture, and international organizations like the United Nations and World Trade Organization.
The War on Terror: Study the causes and consequences of 9/11 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the ongoing global conflict against terrorism.

Use thematic frameworks to connect key events across different regions and time periods (e.g., political structures, economic systems, social hierarchies, and cultural developments).
Practice writing essays with a clear thesis, strong evidence, and historical analysis. Make sure to cover both continuities and changes over time.
Review key maps to understand the geographic context of world history, such as trade routes, empire boundaries, and cultural diffusion.
Analyze primary sources such as speeches, documents, and historical records to deepen your understanding of historical events.
Create flashcards for important dates, people, and events to help reinforce your memory.