AP European History : Political History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP European History

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Example Questions

Example Question #478 : Ap European History

The Congress of Vienna was convened based upon which principle?

Possible Answers:

the revolution of the proletariat

anti-Semitism

neo-colonialism

constitutional monarchy

balance of powers

Correct answer:

balance of powers

Explanation:

The primary purpose of the Congress of Vienna was to ensure a balance of powers among the European states in the aftermath of the defeat of Napoleon.

Example Question #221 : Political History

Which of the following best describes mercantilism?

Possible Answers:

An economic approach in which the government does not intervene in the market

An isolationist policy in which a government bars all trade with foreign powers

Heavy regulation of the economy by a government in order to strengthen its own country at the expense of others

An economic philosophy in which the government delegates all economic regulation to the merchant class

The redistribution of wealth equally among all social classes

Correct answer:

Heavy regulation of the economy by a government in order to strengthen its own country at the expense of others

Explanation:

Mercantilism was the dominant economic philosophy of Europe during the eras of global colonization. The colonizing powers sought to strengthen their own country and colonies at the expense of their rivals through methods such as high tariffs on imports, government subsidies for domestic products, forbidding trade with certain countries, and government-mandated monopolies.

Example Question #222 : Political History

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's initial policy towards the aggression of Adolf Hitler's Germany was called which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Derailment

Total war

Containment

Appeasement

Detente

Correct answer:

Appeasement

Explanation:

Neville Chamberlain followed the policy of "appeasement," believing that Hitler would tone down German aggression if given the territory he wanted. Chamberlain resigned from the office of Prime Minister 1940, after the obvious failure of appeasement seen in the beginning of World War II.

Example Question #223 : Political History

Which answer best describes the primary result of the 1598 Edict of Nantes?

Possible Answers:

Increased persecution of the Huguenots.

None of these

The lessening of the persecution of the French Catholics.

The lessening of the persecution of the Huguenots.

Increased persecution of the French Catholics.

Correct answer:

The lessening of the persecution of the Huguenots.

Explanation:

The Edict of Nantes, decreed in 1598 by Henry IV of France, gave French Protestants (Huguenots) many rights in French society, despite the nation's majority Catholic population. This had the effect of diminishing the persecution of French Protestants in France.

Example Question #482 : Ap European History

What world famous building is Louis XIV responsible for building?

Possible Answers:

The Louvre

the Arc de Triomphe

The Palace of Versailles

Tuileries Palace

Correct answer:

The Palace of Versailles

Explanation:

Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles as the new home of the royal family. His other motivation in building the Palace was to demonstrate the power and majesty of the French Royalty.

Example Question #224 : Political History

What major change did Perer the Great seek to bring to Russia?

Possible Answers:

Isolation from Europe

Westernization

Alliances and trade with Asia

Centralization of Power

Correct answer:

Westernization

Explanation:

Peter was an avid academic and loved the modern ways of Western Europe. He went on an undercover trip around Europe to observe the ways of the Dutch, English, French, and Austrians. This led him to desire these modern ways for Russia, so he used his power as Czar to force the nation to westernize.

Example Question #225 : Political History

In the wake of the French Wars of Religion, what did King Henry IV seek to change about the French government?

Possible Answers:

Show French power by building up its military

Centralize power by reducing the power of nobles

Disperse power by granting nobles more power

Decentralize the government by allowing regional lords more influence

Correct answer:

Centralize power by reducing the power of nobles

Explanation:

Following the Wars of Religion Henry wanted to avoid further internal strife like France had just seen. He believed the best way was to centralize power with one monarch that had complete and total control over all of France. He achieved this by largely stripping the French nobility of its powers.

Example Question #226 : Political History

Catherine the Great inherited the throne of Russia following the death of her husband, Peter III, but Catherine was not Russian. Where was Catherine originally from?

Possible Answers:

Poland

Austria

Prussia

France

Correct answer:

Prussia

Explanation:

Catherine was Born in Germany to her father, Christian August, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, who was also a Prussian General. Her cousins went on to be Kings of Sweden while she was married off to Peter III of Russia in order to build relations between Prussia and Russia.

Example Question #486 : Ap European History

Who was the last King in the Jageillonian Dynasty?

Possible Answers:

Henryk I

Sigismund II

Stanisław II

Casimir the Great

Correct answer:

Sigismund II

Explanation:

Sigismund II died with no heirs and thus his dynasty ended. Before he died though, he declared that Poland and Lithuania would transition to a system of elected monarchs after his death rather than finding a new royal family.

Example Question #485 : Ap European History

Following the death of Sigismund II, what form of government did Poland and Lithuania change to?

Possible Answers:

Confederacy

Military Dictatorship

Elected Monarchy

Parliamentarian Rule

Correct answer:

Elected Monarchy

Explanation:

Following the death of Sigismund II Poland and Lithuania changed to become an elected monarchy. This meant that a king would be elected by the Polish noble families to rule for life.

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