AP European History Exam Overview

Introduction

• Emily Poole provides an overview of the AP European History exam.
• Encourages students to focus, listen, and review key terms.

Medieval Europe

• Post-Roman Empire: Western Europe fragmented into feudal kingdoms.
• Catholicism provided unity through canon law.
• Known as the Dark Ages due to loss in literacy and education.

Renaissance

• Contextualization: Importance of Crusades in initiating the Renaissance.
• Greek and Roman texts reintroduced to Western Europe.
• Revival of humanism: shift from religion to secularism.
• Art: Transition from religious themes to classical forms.
• Differences: Italian Renaissance vs. Northern Renaissance. Focus on secular vs. Christian humanism.
• Notable Figures: Machiavelli vs. Erasmus on leadership.

Reformation

• Printing Press: Key in spreading Renaissance ideas.
• Challenging Power: Monarchs vs. Catholic Church.
• Break from Church: Henry VIII and Anglican Church.

Exploration and Colonization

• Technologies: Navigational advancements from Asia and Africa.
• Christopher Columbus: Sought Indian Ocean trade, discovered Americas.
• Columbian Exchange: Transfer of goods, ideas, and diseases.
• Slavery: Establishment of transatlantic slave trade.

Economic Changes

• Mercantilism: Raw goods from Americas, finished goods return.
• Cottage Industry: Early form of industrialization.
• Colonial Competition: Spain vs. Portugal, Treaty of Tordesillas.
• Financial Institutions: Rise of banks like Amsterdam and Dutch East India Company.

Political Developments

• English Civil War: Conflict between monarchy and parliament.
• Glorious Revolution: Establishment of constitutional monarchy in England.
• Dutch Republic: Economic boom and artistic patronage.

Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment

• Scientific Discoveries: Heliocentric theory, human anatomy, reasoning methods.
• Enlightenment Philosophers: Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Wollstonecraft.
• Salons and Publications: Spread of ideas and formation of encyclopedia.

French Revolution and Napoleonic Era

• Causes: Famine, taxes, Enlightenment ideals.
• Revolutionary Changes: Declaration of Rights, regicide, Reign of Terror.
• Napoleon: Rise to power, reforms, and Empire-building.
• Congress of Vienna: Restoring balance of power post-Napoleon's defeat.

Industrial Revolution

• Beginnings: Industrialization starts in Britain, spreads to Europe.
• Technological Advances: Bessemer process, electricity, chemicals.
• Social Changes: Class structure, labor reforms, women's roles.

19th Century Political and Social Changes

• Liberalism and Socialism: Emergence due to industrial impacts.
• Nationalism: Unifications of Germany and Italy.
• Imperialism: European domination in Africa and Asia.

World Wars and Interwar Period

• World War I: Alliances, trench warfare, technological advancements.
• Russian Revolution: Bolshevik rise, Soviet Union formation.
• Interwar Challenges: Economic crisis, rise of fascism.

World War II

• Axis Expansion: Hitler's aggression, non-aggression pact.
• Holocaust: Nazi racial policies and genocide.
• Post-war: Cold War emergence, ideological battle.

Late 20th and Early 21st Century

• Soviet Union Collapse: Glasnost and perestroika, Eastern European independence.
• European Integration: EU formation, Brexit.
• Globalization Challenges: Immigration, nationalism, and sovereignty debates.
• Environmental Movements: Rise of Green parties and sustainable initiatives.

Conclusion

• Encouragement for students to review and prepare for the AP exam.