AP World History : Political History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Political Protest, Reforms, And Revolution 600 Ce To 1450

Which of these best describes the consequences of the Red Turban Rebellion?

Possible Answers:

The rebels were victorious and the government enacted all of their demanded reforms.

The rebels were completely annihilated, and the government ignored all their demands.

The rebels were completely annihilated, but the government accepted some of their minor demands.

The rebels were eventually defeated, but the government enacted all of their demanded reforms to prevent further uprisings.

The rebels were victorious and overthrew the ruling dynasty.

Correct answer:

The rebels were victorious and overthrew the ruling dynasty.

Explanation:

The Red Turban Rebellion took place in China in the mid-fourteenth century. It ended in victory for the rebels and the destruction of the Yuan dynasty. The Mongol Yuan were removed from power and the Ming dynasty took control of China for the next few centuries. This was an important moment in Chinese history because it returned control of the country to the ethnic Han Chinese.

Example Question #411 : Political History

An Lushan is most famous for __________.

Possible Answers:

leading a rebellion against the Yuan dynasty

spreading Islam in the Indian subcontinent leading a rebellion against the Yuan dynasty

his contributions to Confucian philosophy

leading a rebellion against the Tang dynasty

his contributions to Legalism

Correct answer:

leading a rebellion against the Tang dynasty

Explanation:

An Lushan is a Chinese general who is famous for leading the An Shi Rebellion against the ruling Tang dynasty in China in the eighth century. The An Shi Rebellion was brutally crushed by the Tang, but it did contribute to their steady decline.

Example Question #411 : Political History

Basil the Copper Hand is most famous for __________.

Possible Answers:

translating the writings of Aristotle and Plato into Latin and Arabic

spreading Zoroastrianism around the Middle East and central Asia

leading a peasant revolt in England in the fourteenth century

leading a peasant revolt in Byzantium in the tenth century

his contributions to mathematics and astronomy

Correct answer:

leading a peasant revolt in Byzantium in the tenth century

Explanation:

Basil the Copper Hand is famous for leading a peasant revolt in Byzantium in the early tenth century. The Byzantine Peasant’s Revolt was caused by catastrophic famine and despised agrarian land reforms.

Example Question #412 : Political History

Which of these best describes the Jacquerie?

Possible Answers:

A rebel government, briefly in power in France during the Thirty Years’ War.

A peasant revolt in fourteenth century France.

A religious civil war in sixteenth century France.

A period of chaos and disorder during the early months of the French Revolution.

The massacre of the Native American population of Quebec by French colonists.

Correct answer:

A peasant revolt in fourteenth century France.

Explanation:

The Jacquerie is the name most commonly used to refer to a peasant revolt in France in the fourteenth century. The Jacquerie was crushed relatively quickly and had less impact than the more famous Peasants Revolt in England in the same time period.

Example Question #413 : Political History

When did the Jacquerie take place in France?

Possible Answers:

During the Seven Years’ War

During the Hundred Years’ War

During the French Revolution

During the War of Austrian Succession

During the Thirty Years’ War

Correct answer:

During the Hundred Years’ War

Explanation:

The Jacquerie took place in northern France in 1358, during the Hundred Years’ War with England. The Jacquerie was a popular revolt by peasants who were living in northern France and who were tired of the suffering and poverty caused by the prolonged conflict with England.

Example Question #6 : Political Protest, Reforms, And Revolution 600 Ce To 1450

Which of these statements about the consequences of the English Peasants’ Revolt is most accurate?

Possible Answers:

The rebellion ended in the complete annihilation of the rebels and the complete rejection of all their demands.

The rebellion ended in the complete annihilation of the rebels, but led to some limited socioeconomic changes.

The rebellion ended when the rebels conquered London and executed the young king.

The rebellion ended when the rebels conquered London and enacted a series of reforms by forcing the king to sign a rudimentary Bill of Rights.

The rebellion ended in the complete annihilation of the rebels, but dramatically altered the social hierarchy in England for generations to come.

Correct answer:

The rebellion ended in the complete annihilation of the rebels, but led to some limited socioeconomic changes.

Explanation:

The English Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 was eventually quashed by forces loyal to the crown and the vast majority of the demands made by the peasants were ignored. There were some limited socioeconomic consequences, however, including the slight elevation of peasants in the social hierarchy and a growing disinclination in Parliament to levy taxes on peasants for fear of a reprisal.

Example Question #3 : Political Protest, Reforms, And Revolution 600 Ce To 1450

Which of these best describes the reasons why the Red Turban Rebellion broke out?

Possible Answers:

agriculture failure and high taxes

religious discord

animosity between competing schools of philosophy

anger at territorial losses sustained by the ruling dynasty

all of these reasons contributed to the outbreak of the Red Turban Rebellion

Correct answer:

agriculture failure and high taxes

Explanation:

The Red Turban Rebellion broke out in Yuan China in the mid-fourteenth century. It was primarily motivated by two factors. The first was that the ruling Yuan dynasty had repeatedly failed to organize countermeasures to prevent the seasonal flooding of the Yellow River. This had devastating consequences for the rural population, not to mention contributed to urban famine. The second factor was that the foreign Mongol government conscripted a large portion of the population to defend its vast empire.

Example Question #414 : Political History

Why was the Magna Carta significant? 

Possible Answers:

It gave peasants equal representation in the British judicial and legislative systems

It was one of the earliest pieces of legislation that limited a monarch's authority. It laid the groundwork for the establishment of parliament

It installed a new king, disposing King John even though he was still living

It asserted the Monarch's power over the Church of England, making a distinct break from the traditional European power structure between church and state

It decreed that any first born child could claim their inheritance, regardless of gender

Correct answer:

It was one of the earliest pieces of legislation that limited a monarch's authority. It laid the groundwork for the establishment of parliament

Explanation:

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was of great significance because it marked the first time that the Barons of England united to restrict the King's power through legal, rather than militant, tactics. It would go on to establish a precedent for the Barons collectively bargaining to limit the King's authority, and eventually lead to the establishment of the Parliament as we know it today. 

Example Question #11 : Political Protest, Reforms, And Revolution 600 Ce To 1450

The Chinese Emperor Yongle was notable for __________.

I. the construction of the Forbidden City

II. re-establishing imperial legitimacy after the rule of the Mongol Yuan dynasty

III. centralizing imperial authority

IV. the construction of the Grand Canal

 

Possible Answers:

II, III, and IV

I, II, and III

I, III, and IV

II and IV

I and III

Correct answer:

I, II, and III

Explanation:

The Chinese Emperor Yongle was the second ruler of the Ming dynasty and probably its most famous and influential. He ordered the construction of the Forbidden City and transformed Beijing into a prosperous imperial capital. He also re-established imperial legitimacy after the rule of the Mongol Yuan and the rebellion that overthrew them. Finally, he was an important force in the centralizing of imperial authority in China.

Example Question #412 : Political History

Which of the following documents seriously limited the English king’s power for the first time since the Magna Carta?

Possible Answers:

Treaty of Paris

Petition of Right

Bill of Rights

Declaration of Rights

Correct answer:

Petition of Right

Explanation:

In 1628 Parliament passed the Petition of Right, which set out guidelines for subjects on which the king had limited or no authority. The Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments to the American Constitution. Declaration of Rights refers to the 1776 American political document. The Treaty of Paris refers to the document that ended the American Revolutionary War.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors