AP European History : Political History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP European History

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Example Questions

Example Question #201 : Political History

What does the Thermidorian Reaction refer to in the context of the French Revolution?

Possible Answers:

The outcome of the Oath of the Tennis Court

The reactions by the aristocracy and clergy to Abbe Sieyes' polemic pamphlet "What is the Third Estate?"

The executions of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

The counter-revolt in 1794 that unseated Robespierre and signalled the end of the Reign of Terror

The reaction of the monarchy to the establishment of the National Assembly

Correct answer:

The counter-revolt in 1794 that unseated Robespierre and signalled the end of the Reign of Terror

Explanation:

The Thermidorian Reaction refers to the counter-revolt in 1794 that unseated Robespierre and signalled the end of the Reign of Terror.

Example Question #202 : Political History

During the Reign of Terror ___________.

Possible Answers:

Napoleon overthrew the Revolutionary Government and took control of France by force

thousands of starving women and children march to Versailles

the French Revolution spread throughout France

the Committee of Public Safety executed 40,000 French citizens

Correct answer:

the Committee of Public Safety executed 40,000 French citizens

Explanation:

The Committee of Public Safety was the government in control of France in the wake of the Revolution. They felt the only way to keep France safe was to kill anyone that held political views that were in opposition to the Revolution. As such many Royalists, former nobility, and those holding more conservative political stances were condemned to death.

Example Question #203 : Political History

During the French Revolution, the new rights of French citizens could be found in the ____________.

Possible Answers:

Sans-Coulettes

Bill of Rights

Declaration of the Rights of Man

Petition of Right

Correct answer:

Declaration of the Rights of Man

Explanation:

In 1789 the French Revolutionary Government passed the Declaration of the rights of man to outline the universal rights all men shared, that should be protected by the government. The Bill of Rights refers to the first 10 amendments to the US constitution. Petition of Right is an English constitutional document. Sans-Coulettes was the term for common people in pre-revolutionary France, not the name of a rights document at all.

Example Question #461 : Ap European History

Why does France celebrate Bastille Day?

Possible Answers:

It marks the end of the French Revolution

It marks the end of the Reign of Terror

It marks the day that Napoleon became Emperor

It marks the day of the beginning of the French Revolution

Correct answer:

It marks the day of the beginning of the French Revolution

Explanation:

Bastille Day celebrates the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress, July 14th, 1789; which was the beginning of the French Revolution.

Example Question #462 : Ap European History

When the Tudor Line of England died with Elizabeth I, since she had no children, what new monarchy took over as the Kings and Queens of England.

Possible Answers:

The House of Windsor

The House of York

The House of Stuarts

The House of Hannover

The House of Lancaster

Correct answer:

The House of Stuarts

Explanation:

After the end of the Tudor line, the King of Scotland, James VI of Scotland, was invited by Parliament to take the throne of England and untie the two nations under one Stuart monarchy.

Example Question #463 : Ap European History

All of the following caused the English Civil War except _____________.

Possible Answers:

King Charles I's inability to work with Parliament 

fears over increasing threats to royal authority

reforms to the Church of England that inspired fears of Catholicism

the widespread demand for an expanded electorate

increased taxation

Correct answer:

the widespread demand for an expanded electorate

Explanation:

Although the Levellers did want to expand the electorate, they were only one part of the Parliamentarians, who were only one side of the fight during the Civil War. All of the other answers describe tensions that led to the war--increased taxation, fears over Catholicism, and the inability of Parliament and King Charles I to work together.

Example Question #464 : Ap European History

What was the first Constitution adopted by a European Government?

Possible Answers:

Constitution of France

May 3rd Constitution (Poland)

The Spanish Constitution

The Greek Constitution

Correct answer:

May 3rd Constitution (Poland)

Explanation:

Poland became the first nation to adopt a Constitution in 1791 when it attempted late reforms meant to pull the nation together and to defend against increased aggression by Poland's neighbors. It ultimately proved to serve the opposite as a new Polish government under this constitution would have been more powerful, and thus prompted Poland's neighbors (Prussia, Russia, and Austria) to invade and take over before this could happen.

Example Question #465 : Ap European History

What caused Henry VIII to split England off from the Roman Catholic Church and form the Church of England?

Possible Answers:

The Pope would not annul (cancel/allow a divorce) Henry's marriage with Catherine of Aragon

The Pope refused to annul Henry's second marriage

The Bishop of Canterbury told the Pope that Henry VIII wasn't going to church anymore

The Pope wouldn't recognize Henry's daughter as ruler of England

Henry VIII didn't like the Catholic church anymore and wanted to make his own church that he would like

Correct answer:

The Pope would not annul (cancel/allow a divorce) Henry's marriage with Catherine of Aragon

Explanation:

Henry wished to get a divorce with his then wife, Catherine, so that he could marry Anne Boleyn. Mostly because Catherine could not produce a male heir for him. 

Example Question #466 : Ap European History

What conflict, partially financed by the French Monarchy, was a key contributing factor to France's debt, which caused the monarchy to unfairly tax its citizens, which helped lead to the revolution of 1789?

Possible Answers:

The War of the Roses

The French and Indian War

The American Revolution

The Seven Years War

The Hundred Years War

Correct answer:

The American Revolution

Explanation:

The American Revolution was a key drain on France's funds, which caused the Monarchy to (ill-advisedly) decide on extreme taxation on the poor as a method to pay their debts.

Example Question #36 : Political Protest; Reforms; Revolution

Pugachev's Rebellion (1773-1774) was significant for which of the following reasons?

Possible Answers:

Catherine deported all Cossacks out of the Russian Empire as punishment for supporting the Rebellion. 

It seriously hampered any enlightened tendencies of Catherine I of Russia and reinforced reactionary tendencies among Russia's ruling class. 

Pugachev was revealed to be the deposed Tsar Peter III in disguise. 

Pugachev's Rebellion was the last major uprising against a Russian Tsar before 1917.

Pugachev's Rebellion was the first major uprising against a Russian Tsar. 

Correct answer:

It seriously hampered any enlightened tendencies of Catherine I of Russia and reinforced reactionary tendencies among Russia's ruling class. 

Explanation:

After Pugachev's Rebellion Catherine I took a strong stance against any revolutionary tendencies, domestic and abroad. She would subsequently take a negative view of both the American and French Revolutions. The other answers are incorrect for the following reasons: There had been several major uprisings against Russian Tsars before Pugachev, and his rebellion was not the last major uprising until 1917, as the Revolution of 1905 was absolutely a major uprising. There was a rumor that Pugachev was Peter III, but this was a lie spread by Pugachev to engender dissent against Catherine I. Finally, following Pugachev's rebellion Catherine opted to integrate and assimilate the Cossacks more into Russian culture and institutions, rather than deport them. 

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