AP European History : Political Parties; Elites; Ideologies; Mass Politics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP European History

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Political Parties; Elites; Ideologies; Mass Politics

What is the name of the man who became head of state of England after the English Civil War?

Possible Answers:

Thomas Fairfax

George Goring

Oliver Cromwell

Charles II

Correct answer:

Oliver Cromwell

Explanation:

Oliver Cromwell was a commander of the forces of parliament during the war. After the War he was named Lord Protector of the Commonwealth. He essentially ruled as a military dictator for the rest of his life, and he attempted to make his son the next Lord Protector after his death. Parliament, realizing that they had given up one tyrant for another, put a stop to it and invited a new King to take the throne.

Example Question #52 : Political Parties; Elites; Ideologies; Mass Politics

Who was the French Revolutionary Leader of the Committee of Public Safety that guillotined thousands, only to meet the same fate?

Possible Answers:

Maxamilien Robespierre

Georges Danton

Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne

Pierre Joseph Cambon

Correct answer:

Maxamilien Robespierre

Explanation:

Robespierre was the second President of the Committee of Public Safety. He is commonly associated with the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution as suspected Royalists and sympathizers were killed in the thousands. Eventually he met the same fate as the Reign of Terror spun out of control and caused the Convention to order Robespierre's arrest for attempting to seize control of France.

Example Question #53 : Political Parties; Elites; Ideologies; Mass Politics

Who first assumed the title "King of the English"?

Possible Answers:

Henry Tudor

Edward the First (Edward Longshanks)

Richard the Lionhearted

William the Conqueror

Alfred the Great

Correct answer:

Alfred the Great

Explanation:

Alfred the Great unified Wessex (known today as Essex) and conquered Mercia, which made up a large part of England. Though his reign was brief his line did manage to unify much of England until conquered by William in 1066 who also unified the rest of what Alfred and his sons and grandsons could not. 

Example Question #54 : Political Parties; Elites; Ideologies; Mass Politics

From which nation did William the Conqueror, who unified England, come?

Possible Answers:

Normandy

Norway

France

Spain

Finland

Correct answer:

Normandy

Explanation:

William the Conqueror was also known as William the Duke of Normandy. He was born in Normandy and gained control of Normandy in 1035, in 1066 he left to conquer England and he and his sons to follow him were successful in conquering and uniting the territory that is known as England today.

Example Question #55 : Political Parties; Elites; Ideologies; Mass Politics

Who was the first ruling Queen of England?

Possible Answers:

Catherine the Great

Elizabeth I

Victoria I

Queen Anne

Mary Queen of Scots

Correct answer:

Elizabeth I

Explanation:

Elizabeth I brought stability in a time of turmoil for England, after the tribulations of her father Henry VIII and the mad scramble for the throne that ensued after his death, Elizabeth brought a sense of calm and poise to the ruling of England.

Example Question #56 : Political Parties; Elites; Ideologies; Mass Politics

Who was responsible for reclaiming Wessex and unifying large parts of England in the late 9th century CE?

Possible Answers:

William the Conqueror

Richard the Lionhearted

Edward Longshanks

Alfred the Great

Uther Pendragon

Correct answer:

Alfred the Great

Explanation:

Alfred the Great of Wessex was key in reclaiming England for England. As a native of Wessex, fighting against Danish control of England was a daunting task, seeing as how the Danes controlled the majority of England. Through careful negotiation and wise tactics Alfred was able to seize control of Wessex and then expand his control to the other territories in England.

Example Question #57 : Political Parties; Elites; Ideologies; Mass Politics

Which French democratic club, established in 1789, was the most radical of the political movements in France at the time and was later closely associated with the Reign of Terror?

Possible Answers:

Huguenots

Guillotine

Bastille

Jacobins

Vendée

Correct answer:

Jacobins

Explanation:

Vendée is a region in France. Huguenots were French protestants. The guillotine was a device used to execute people. The Bastille was a prison. The only proper answer is Jacobins.

Example Question #58 : Political Parties; Elites; Ideologies; Mass Politics

The Carnation Revolution of April 25, 1975, led to the fall of authoritarianism in ____________.

Possible Answers:

Italy

Albania

Greece

Portugal

Spain

Correct answer:

Portugal

Explanation:

The Carnation Revolution witnessed the fall of the Estado Novo regime and led to decolonization of Portugal's possessions in Africa. April 25 is celebrated in Portugal as Freedom Day.

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