AP World History : War and Civil Conflict

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #561 : Political History

Crassus, one of the richest men in Roman history, was killed while on a campaign against __________________.

Possible Answers:

the Mongols

the Carthaginians

the Greeks

the Parthians

the Zulu

Correct answer:

the Parthians

Explanation:

Crassus, one of the richest men in Roman history, had little battlefield experience. He needed victories, rather than money, to assure he could contest Julius Caesar and Pompey for the rule of Rome. His invasion of Parthia ended in disaster, and he was killed.

The Romans never fought against the Mongols or the Zulu.

While the Romans did fight many battles against the Greeks and Carthaginians, Crassus wasn't involved, and certainly didn't die in any of them.

Example Question #562 : Political History

The Warring States Period was a centuries long era of conflict and civil war in the history of __________.

Possible Answers:

the Ottoman Empire

England 

China 

the Austro-Hungarian Empire

Latin America 

Correct answer:

China 

Explanation:

The Warring States Period (475 - 221 B.C.E.) was an era of Chinese history known for constant civil war and conflict between various Chinese kingdoms. It ended in 221 B.C.E. with the victory of the Qin and the establishment of the brief, but important, Qin Dynasty under Qin Shi Huangdi. 

Example Question #563 : Political History

Herodotus is best remembered as the primary historian of __________.

Possible Answers:

the conquests of Alexander the Great

the conquests of Julius Caesar

the Peloponnesian War

the Roman invasion of Greece

the Persian Wars

Correct answer:

the Persian Wars

Explanation:

Herodotus is one of the earliest and most famous western historians. He lived in the fifth century B.C.E. and wrote extensively on the wars between Persia and Greece.

Example Question #564 : Political History

Which city was the primary target of Athens' Sicilian Expedition? 

Possible Answers:

Syracuse

Nacona

Megara

Messina

Gela

Correct answer:

Syracuse

Explanation:

After an appeal by Segesta for help against Syracuse, Athenian sent an military expedition to Sicily. Although the expedition had some initial successes, it quickly unraveled and became one of Athens' worst defeats of the Peloponnesian War. The expedition became stranded on the island and eventually was entirely lost to Athens.

Example Question #565 : Political History

Which Spartan general was sent to aid Syracuse during the Athenian Sicilian Expedition? 

Possible Answers:

Lysander

Brasidas

Gylippus

Alcibiades

Mindarus

Correct answer:

Gylippus

Explanation:

After the Syracusans slow start, Sparta sent Gylippus to the city, kickstarting the war effort.  While Lysander headed the conflict in Greece, Gylippus completely took over Syracuse's war effort and turned the tide of the conflict. Athens' failure to take the city was a disastrous defeat that changed the course of the war.

Example Question #566 : Political History

Which Spartan was responsible for the Athenian surrender that ended the Peloponnesian War?

Possible Answers:

Alcamenes

Pausanias

Lysander

Gylippus

Brasidas

Correct answer:

Lysander

Explanation:

Lysander won the Battle of Aegospotami, forcing the Athenians to finally admit defeat. Lysander was the admiral of the Spartan fleet, built up over the course of the Peloponnesian conflict, eventually overwhelmed the traditionally stronger Athenian navy. While other Spartans, such as Brasidas and Gylippus, were pivotal to the Spartan war effort, it was Lysander who broke the Athenians.

Example Question #567 : Political History

Athens' alliance with what city first started the Peloponnesian War?

Possible Answers:

Megara

Samos

Aegina

Corinth

Lesbos

Correct answer:

Megara

Explanation:

During a war between Megara and Corinth, Athens forged an alliance with Megara, which was formerly a Spartan ally. This caused Sparta to enter on the Corinthian side, officially starting the Peloponnesian War. Aegina, Lesbos and Samos were other Greek powers that participated in the conflict.

Example Question #568 : Political History

Which city's power was broken after the Battle of Mantinea during the Peloponnesian War?

Possible Answers:

Athens 

Corinth

Argos

Tegea

Sparta

Correct answer:

Argos

Explanation:

The Athenian defeat resulted in the end of Argos and its Argive League, giving Sparta a renewed control over the Peloponnese. Argos had been one of Athens' most powerful allies, and arguably the second-most powerful city on the Peloponnesian Peninsula. Its defeat was a major blow to the Delian League and the Athenian war effort.

Example Question #571 : Political History

What was the name of the group Sparta formed to combat Athens during the Peloponnesian War?

Possible Answers:

The Greek Coalition

The Delian League

The Spartan League

The Spartan Alliance

The Peloponnesian League

Correct answer:

The Peloponnesian League

Explanation:

The Peloponnesian League was formed by Sparta in order to combat what they felt was a growing Athenian threat (Athens had formed the Delian League). The league played an important part in the Peloponnesian War. After the Peloponnesian War, the Spartans broke the power of the Delian League and The Peloponnesian League became the preeminent power in Greece.

Example Question #572 : Political History

The Western Zhou period ended ___________.

Possible Answers:

following a barbarian invasion that forced the Zhou government eastwards

after defeat of the forces of the Zhou Dynasty at the hands of the Xia

following a rebellion of the various tributary states of western China

after defeat of the forces of the Zhou Dynasty at the hands of the Qin

following a prolonged period of famine and economic stagnation

Correct answer:

following a barbarian invasion that forced the Zhou government eastwards

Explanation:

The reign of the Western Zhou, when the Zhou Dynasty controlled almost all of what was then China, ended following a barbarian invasion that forced the Zhou government to flee eastwards. The newly formed Eastern Zhou was much weaker than the Western Zhou and, although it would endure for several more centuries, the Eastern Zhou never reclaimed its earlier authority.

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