AP World History : Political History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

Which Asian warlord founded the Uyan Dynasty in China?

Possible Answers:

Qin Shi Huang

Genghis Khan

Kublai Khan 

Asoka the Great 

Tokugawa 

Correct answer:

Kublai Khan 

Explanation:

The Uyan Dynasty (also called the Yuan Dynasty) was founded by the Mongolian warlord Kublai Khan in 1271. Kublai Khan was the grandson of Genghis Khan, and he inherited a large swathe of Genghis’ massive territorial conquests. Kublai Khan established his capital at Beijing and proceeded to conquer and unify the rest of (what was at the time) China.

Example Question #3 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, And Globalization 600 Ce To 1450

The Golden Horde was a Mongolian ruling dynasty that presided over territory in modern-day ___________.

Possible Answers:

China, India, and the Middle East

Central Asia and the Middle East

the Middle East and Southern Europe

Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia

China and Southeast Asia

Correct answer:

Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia

Explanation:

The Golden Horde was a division of the mighty Mongol Empire of the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries. The Golden Horde, led by Batu Khan, conquered Russia and much of Central Asia and parts of Eastern Europe and administered at least some parts of these territories from the mid-thirteenth century until the late fifteenth century.

Example Question #4 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, And Globalization 600 Ce To 1450

The Inca Empire was founded in modern-day __________.

Possible Answers:

Brazil

Peru

Mexico

Colombia

Argentina

Correct answer:

Peru

Explanation:

The Inca Empire was founded in modern-day Peru, with the Kingdom of Cusco, by Pachacuti in the fifteenth century.

Example Question #241 : Political History

Which of these statements about Kublai Khan is inaccurate?

Possible Answers:

He was the grandson of Genghis Khan

He formed the Yuan Dynasty in China

He led the conquest of Russia by the Golden Horde

All of these statements are accurate

He presided over the Mongol Empire at the height of its territorial reach

Correct answer:

He led the conquest of Russia by the Golden Horde

Explanation:

Kublai Khan was the grandson of Genghis Khan (the founder of the Mongol Empire). He presided over the Mongol Empire at the height of its territorial reach and established the Yuan Dynasty in China in 1271 CE. He did not, however, lead the Golden Horde and the Mongol conquest of Russia - that honor belongs to Batu Khan.

Example Question #242 : Political History

The conquests of which of these rulers was divided by the Treaty of Verdun?

Possible Answers:

Charlemagne

Cleopatra

William, Duke of Normandy

Attila the Hun

Julius Caesar

Correct answer:

Charlemagne

Explanation:

The Treaty of Verdun was signed in 843 CE. It divided the Carolingian Empire and the conquests of Charlemagne into three kingdoms, each to be ruled by one of Charlemagne’s sons. The Holy Roman Empire emerged from one of the kingdoms established by the Treaty of Verdun.

Example Question #243 : Political History

The Sassanid Empire came to an end __________.

Possible Answers:

with the Muslim conquests of the seventh century

shortly after the fall of the Byzantine Empire

following the rise of Zoroastrianism

with the conquests of Alexander the Great

during the First Crusade

Correct answer:

with the Muslim conquests of the seventh century

Explanation:

The Sassanid Empire emerged from the ashes of the Parthian Empire in the third century. It was the last Persian ruling dynasty of Iran before the Muslim conquests of the seventh century. The Sassanid Empire ruled over the vast majority of the territory that would today be recognized as the Middle East for four centuries.

Example Question #244 : Political History

The Umayyad Caliphate was immediately succeeded by the __________.

Possible Answers:

Han Dynasty

Abbasid Caliphate

Rashidun Caliphate

Ayyubid Dynasty

Mamluk Caliphate

Correct answer:

Abbasid Caliphate

Explanation:

The Umayyad Caliphate came to power in modern-day Syria in the mid-seventh century and dramatically extended the rule of Islam to include all of North Africa, the Iberian peninsula, and parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Umayyads were immediately succeeded by the Abbasid Caliphate, who took control of the Islamic world in the mid-eighth century and ruled until dissolution in the thirteenth century.

Example Question #245 : Political History

Mahmud of Ghazni ruled a sultanate centered around modern-day __________.

Possible Answers:

Lebanon

India

Azerbaijan

Afghanistan

Turkmenistan

Correct answer:

Afghanistan

Explanation:

Mahmud of Ghazni ruled a sultanate centered around modern-day Afghanistan in the eleventh century. He is the most famous ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire. When he came to power Ghazna was a small city of little global prominence or significance, by the end of his reign he had established a powerful empire that included most of modern-day Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and parts of northern India.

Example Question #246 : Political History

Which of the following areas were NOT exposed to the Turkic expansion, which began in the 1360s?

Possible Answers:

India

China

The Fertile Crescent

Southern Russia

Persia

Correct answer:

China

Explanation:

Under Timur, various Turkic tribes expanded through Central Asia, beginning in the 1360s. The Timurid Empire eventually covered most of the Middle East, including the Fertile Crescent, Persia (Iraq), and parts of modern-day India and Russia. 

Example Question #17 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, And Globalization 600 Ce To 1450

Which of these statements about Genghis Khan is inaccurate?

Possible Answers:

All of these statements are accurate

He was the grandfather of Kublai Khan

He united the Mongol tribes and formed the Mongol Empire

He favored meritocracy and rewarded talented individuals

He ruled over the Mongolian Empire at the height of its territorial reach

Correct answer:

He ruled over the Mongolian Empire at the height of its territorial reach

Explanation:

Genghis Khan is one of the most influential figures in human history. He rose to power in Mongol society and united the Mongol tribes in the twelfth century, before leading them on a widespread conquest of Eurasia. He was indeed the grandfather of Kublai Khan (who presided over the Mongol Empire at the height of its territorial reach). He also, famously, employed a meritocratic approach to appointments and rewarded talented individuals over those with good family connections.

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