AP European History : Demography

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP European History

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Example Questions

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Example Question #800 : Ap European History

The island of Ireland saw a massive drop in population during the mid-nineteenth century because of __________.

Possible Answers:

the invasion of the island of Ireland by British forces

refuge given by the Catholic nations of Spain and France

new immigration policies enacted by the British parliament

a potato blight that devastated all Irish potato crops

the last outbreak of the plague in Western Europe

Correct answer:

a potato blight that devastated all Irish potato crops

Explanation:

Throughout the 1840s, a potato blight ravaged all of the potato crops throughout Europe, causing a devastating reduction in overall potato yields. Ireland, which for a variety of reasons had become dependent on the cheap crop, was by far the hardest hit land in Europe, a fact compounded by British policies that ignored the problem. From 1845 to 1850, roughly one million Irish people died from disease and hunger due to what became known as the Great Famine, while a further one million left the island to immigrate to America and Great Britain.

Example Question #1 : Demography

Who became the leader of the Commonwealth of England in 1653, initiating a period known as "the Protectorate," in which England, Ireland, and Scotland were governed by a Lord Protector?

Possible Answers:

Oliver Cromwell

Elizabeth I

William of Orange

Charles Fleetwood

Henry VIII

Correct answer:

Oliver Cromwell

Explanation:

In 1653, Oliver Cromwell was declared Lord Protector of a united Commonwealth of England, ushering in the period known as "the Protectorate."

Example Question #2 : Demography

Which of the following cities, during the eleventh century, became a prominent player in the international trade largely because of its vast merchant fleet?

Possible Answers:

Amsterdam

Venice

Florence

Valencia

London

Correct answer:

Venice

Explanation:

As a result of its location at the head of the Adriatic Sea and utilization of its waterways, Venice developed into a naval and commercial power during the eleventh century. The flourishing city developed into a centerpiece of the trade between Western Europe and the rest of the world.

Example Question #1 : Demography

Which of the following was NOT one of the principal aims of Joseph Stalin's five-year plans for the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s?

Possible Answers:

To develop a strong industrial economy

To increase agricultural production

To create a more socialist society

To develop artistic and literary talents

To develop a powerful army

Correct answer:

To develop artistic and literary talents

Explanation:

The principal aims of Stalin's five-year plans were to develop a strong industrial economy centered on steel production, develop a powerful state army, increase agricultural production, and create a more socialist society. The development of artistic and literary talents was not one of the primary aims. In fact, Soviet art and literature became highly political during this era and was heavily influenced by propaganda.

Example Question #2 : Demography

The commencement of World War I was triggered in part by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, in 1914.

Archduke Ferdinand was heir to the throne of which country?

Possible Answers:

Austria-Hungary

Bosnia

Russia

Great Britain

Germany

Correct answer:

Austria-Hungary

Explanation:

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. He was assassinated on June 28, 1914.

Example Question #3 : Demography

The Treaty of Versailles was signed in Paris on June 28, 1919, exactly five years after what momentous event?

Possible Answers:

The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor

The initiation of the Allied "Hundred Days Offensive"

The German invasion of neutral Belgium

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The collapse of the Imperial Government in Russia

Correct answer:

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Explanation:

The Treaty of Versailles was signed in Paris on June 28, 1919, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914.

Example Question #4 : Demography

The population of Britain grew rapidly in the eighteenth century, from around five million in 1700 to almost nine million by the close of the century. Much of that growth was felt in Britain's largest cities.

Which of the following was NOT one of Britain's five most populous cities in 1801?

Possible Answers:

London

Bristol

Sheffield

Liverpool

Manchester

Correct answer:

Sheffield

Explanation:

In 1801, the five most populous cities in Britain were London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Bristol. Although it later joined the list of five most populous cities, Sheffield was not one of Britain's ten most populous in 1801.

Example Question #5 : Demography

The Bastille, a fortress and prison in France, was stormed by insurgents on July 14, 1789. The insurgents captured and distributed weapons and ammunition stored inside, and the incident served as a flashpoint for the French Revolution.

The Bastille was located in which French city?

Possible Answers:

Lyon

Paris

Marseille

Montpellier

Versailles

Correct answer:

Paris

Explanation:

The Bastille was a medieval fortress in Paris, France. Its storming on July 14, 1789 is commemorated by the French with a public holiday, known as Bastille Day.

Example Question #1 : Demography

Which of the following nations was NOT one of the Axis powers in the Second World War?

Possible Answers:

Hungary

Germany

Belgium

Italy

Romania

Correct answer:

Belgium

Explanation:

Belgium was not one of the Axis powers in the Second World War, but rather one of the Allied nations. Germany, Italy, Romania, and Hungary were all Axis nations.

Example Question #8 : Demography

Which of the French Estates would have contained the highest percentage of the population during the eighteenth century?

Possible Answers:

The Fifth Estate

The Second Estate

The Third Estate

The Fourth Estate

The First Estate

Correct answer:

The Third Estate

Explanation:

Answering this question really requires you to understand which Estate represents which social grouping, as once you know this information, the correct answer should be fairly obvious. The First Estate was the clergy and other religious leaders who probably accounted for no more than one percent of the population; the Second Estate was the nobility, who could not have ever been more than five percent of the population; and the Third Estate was essentially everyone else (peasants, bourgeoise, urban workers, etc.), so the Third Estate was by far the largest of three groups. The Fourth Estate is a term sometimes used to describe the media; the Fifth Estate does not exist.

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