AP World History : Political History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #211 : Political History

Which European power conquered Egypt and built the city of Alexandria?

Possible Answers:

Italy

Greece

Holy Roman Empire

Rome

Correct answer:

Greece

Explanation:

Alexandria was named for the conqueror leading Greece at the time, Alexander the Great, who defeated the ruling Persians in 332 BC after conquering Syria, and before moving on to Mesopotamia (now Iraq). He established the Ptolemiac Dynasty, which ruled Egypt with Alexandria as its capitol.

Example Question #211 : Political History

The Frankish Empire emerged in Europe shortly after the downfall of __________.

Possible Answers:

Napoleonic France

the Roman Empire

the Austro-Hungarian Empire

the Ottoman Empire

the Carolingian Empire

Correct answer:

the Roman Empire

Explanation:

The Frankish Empire was founded in 496 CE by Clovis I. It emerged shortly after the downfall of the Roman Empire and filled the power vacuum in Western Europe throughout the early Medieval period.

Example Question #212 : Political History

Which of these Roman rulers did not contribute to the Roman conquest of Britain?

Possible Answers:

Hadrian

Constantine

Julius Caesar

Claudius

Augustus Caesar

Correct answer:

Constantine

Explanation:

The Roman conquest of Britain effectively began with the expeditions made by Julius Caesar in 55 BCE. The actual conquest itself was a gradual process - beginning in 43 CE with the invasion led by Emperor Claudius. All of these emperors contributed except for the Emperor Constantine who ruled two centuries after the Roman conquest of Britain was completed.

Example Question #33 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, And Globalization 600 Bce To 600 Ce

During the reign of Justinian I, the Byzantine Empire __________.

Possible Answers:

was conquered by the invading Ottomans

extended its territorial reach into Sub-Saharan Africa

reclaimed much of the land which had previously been held by the Western Roman Empire

was formed, with its capital at Constantinople

declined in power due to the corrupt and ineffective practices of Justinian’s rule

Correct answer:

reclaimed much of the land which had previously been held by the Western Roman Empire

Explanation:

Justinian I is the most famous ruler of the early Byzantine Empire. He reigned from 527 to 565 CE. Justinian is often remembered for his famous legal code, called the Code of Justinian. He also was notable for his attempts to reunite the fractured Roman Empire. During his reign the Byzantine Empire expanded significantly, due to Justinian’s reconquest of many lands which had previously been held by the Western Roman Empire.

Example Question #213 : Political History

Alexander the Great conquered much of the known-world as leader of the __________.

Possible Answers:

Athenian Empire

Egyptian Empire

Persian Empire

Spartan Empire

Macedonian Empire

Correct answer:

Macedonian Empire

Explanation:

Alexander the Great lived from 356 BCE until 323 BCE. In this relatively short amount of time he conquered one of the largest land empires in human history - stretching from Greece and Egypt in the west all the way to India in the east. Alexander the Great was the leader of the Macedonian Empire, Macedonia is a region that borders Greece to the north.

Example Question #214 : Political History

Why was the Chinese empire able to take shape so quickly, while that of the Romans took centuries?

Possible Answers:

The Qin had a brutal military force, while the Romans did not.

The Qin had a centralized government, while the Romans did not.

The Qin were able to build on earlier precedents, while the Romans did not.

The Qin had an attractive urban culture, while the Romans did not.

Correct answer:

The Qin were able to build on earlier precedents, while the Romans did not.

Explanation:

The Qin were able to take shape so quickly in part due to their ability to build on the precedents set by the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. The Qin had already developed a bureaucracy, aristocracy, well-equipped army, stable agricultural output, and a growing population. On the other hand, the Roman empire was essentially starting from scratch in the creation of its empire. Both the Qin and the Romans had centralized governments, brutal military forces, and attractive urban cultures.

Example Question #215 : Political History

Which of these second-wave civilizations is correctly matched with its characteristic feature?

Possible Answers:

Rome- built off tradition and highly centralized

Persia- unapproachable monarchs and elaborate imperial centers

China- extent of popular participation in politics

Greece- well-trained army and relentless expansion

Correct answer:

Persia- unapproachable monarchs and elaborate imperial centers

Explanation:

Persia was known for its unapproachable monarchs and elaborate imperial centers. Greece was known for its extent of popular participation in politics. Rome was known for its well-trained army and relentless expansion. China was known for being built off tradition and being highly centralized.

Example Question #216 : Political History

Alexandria was once the capital of __________.

Possible Answers:

Seleucid Syria

Ptolemaic Egypt

the Roman Empire of Augustus Caesar

Antigonid Macedon

the Persian Empire of Xerxes

Correct answer:

Ptolemaic Egypt

Explanation:

Alexandria was once the capital of Ptolemaic Egypt - it was the capital of Egypt during its Hellenistic period from approximately 300 BCE until 30 BCE Alexandria was a global centre of learning and commerce and contained the famous Library of Alexandria.

Example Question #217 : Political History

Who was the first dictator and emperor of the Roman Empire?

Possible Answers:

Mark Antony

Caligula

Julius Caesar

Augustus Caesar

Nero

Correct answer:

Augustus Caesar

Explanation:

Octavian, later called Augustus Caesar, founded the Roman Empire after he defeated his rivals from the Second Triumvirate in 27 BCE.

Example Question #218 : Political History

Hatshepsut, Amenhotep, Tutankhamen, and Ramesses II have what in common?

Possible Answers:

They were all Gods in the Egyptian pantheon

They were all rulers of Egypt during the Old Kingdom

They were all rulers of Egypt during the New Kingdom

They were all rulers of Egypt during the Middle Kingdom

They were all found preserved in their tombs

Correct answer:

They were all rulers of Egypt during the New Kingdom

Explanation:

These are all Pharaohs who ruled during the period of Egyptian history known as the New Kingdom. This was a period of Egyptian military conquest and expansion and some of these rulers, notably Ramesses II, are known for their extensive territorial conquests. Hatshepsut, it is worth noting, was the first female ruler in recorded human history.

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