AP World History : Political History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Political And Governmental Structures 600 Bce To 600 Ce

Which of these statements about the Sui Dynasty of China is inaccurate?

Possible Answers:

It represented a return to the rule of ethnic Han Chinese in China

The Grand Canal was built during the reign of the Sui Dynasty

It reunited the Northern and Southern Chinese kingdoms

It was one of the longest-lived in Chinese history

All of these statements about the Sui Dynasty are accurate

Correct answer:

It was one of the longest-lived in Chinese history

Explanation:

The Sui Dynasty of China reigned for less than fifty years in the sixth and seventh centuries CE. Nonetheless, the Sui Dynasty is considered especially important in Chinese history. The Sui united the northern and southern Chinese kingdoms and returned the rule of China to the hands of the ethnic Han Chinese. They also constructed the Grand Canal, which facilitated the movement of people and goods around China for several centuries.

Example Question #41 : Political And Governmental Structures 600 Bce To 600 Ce

Which of the following characteristics is least associated with the Roman Republic and its government?

Possible Answers:

Oligarchical

Democratic

Unequal

Patriarchal

Militaristic

Correct answer:

Democratic

Explanation:

The correct answer is democratic. The Roman Republic did allow voting but voting rights were unequal and didn't conform to representative democratic principles. Upper class citizens could unite and veto majority decisions on the basis of class.

Example Question #42 : Political And Governmental Structures 600 Bce To 600 Ce

What is most commonly known as the most distinctive feature of Greek civilization?

Possible Answers:

the fact that women were included in political life

the benevolence of the emperors

the extent of popular participation in political life

the rigid hierarchies set in place by the city-states

Correct answer:

the extent of popular participation in political life

Explanation:

The Greeks were known for the extent of the participation of the people in political life. Greece is widely known as the birthplace of democracy for this very reason. Greek women, however, had essentially no political power. Rigid hierarchies were not distinctive about Greece, as all civilizations experienced social stratification. Some leaders of Greece were benevolent, but it was not a significant enough consistency to be a distinctive feature of Greek civilization.

Example Question #43 : Political And Governmental Structures 600 Bce To 600 Ce

The Roman Republic featured which of the following?

Possible Answers:

senate, representative government, rule of law

mandate of Heaven and civil service exams

separation of religious functions from those of the state

rule by two tyrants and an oligarchy

Correct answer:

senate, representative government, rule of law

Explanation:

The Roman Republic featured a senate, representative government, and rule of law. The definition of a republic is a political system in which people elect their officials, which can be seen in this answer choice, but not in any of the others. The Mandate of Heaven and civil service exams were common of the Chinese government. Tyrants would not be leaders in a representative republic. Lastly, the Roman Republic did not see a separation of church and state. Conversely, the two were tied together very officially when Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the empire in the year 312 CE.

Example Question #41 : Political And Governmental Structures 600 Bce To 600 Ce

In naming himself dictator what did Julius Caesar do that was unprecedented?

Possible Answers:

He served as dictator from abroad, where he was leading the legions of the Republic, rather than in the Roman Forum.

He was the first military general to become dictator of the Roman Republic.

He was the first non-Roman citizen to become dictator of the Roman Republic.

He named himself dictator for life, rather than for a six-month term.

He was the first native Gaul to become dictator of the Roman Republic.

Correct answer:

He named himself dictator for life, rather than for a six-month term.

Explanation:

When he named himself dictator for life Julius Caesar did something unprecedented in Roman history. Previously (with the notable exception of Sulla) dictators were chosen by the elected officials of the Roman Republic to serve for a six-month or one-year term. The actions of Julius Caesar contributed to the downfall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.

Example Question #44 : Political And Governmental Structures 600 Bce To 600 Ce

How many kings did ancient Sparta have at any given time?

Possible Answers:

three

two

five

none

one

Correct answer:

two

Explanation:

Sparta's dual-kingship system ensured that there was always a king in the city while also enabling one king to command military operations outside Sparta. The most notable example of this is Leonidas' presence (and subsequent death) at the Battle of Thermopylae did not sent Sparta into disarray, as his co-ruler Cleomenes still reined. In this way, both military and civil life in Sparta continued to run smoothly.

Example Question #45 : Political And Governmental Structures 600 Bce To 600 Ce

The Twelve Tables was the earliest known attempt at establishing a legal system in __________.

Possible Answers:

Ancient Greece

Ancient India

Ancient Rome

Ancient Persia

Ancient Egypt

Correct answer:

Ancient Rome

Explanation:

The Twelve Tables were the earliest known attempt at establishing a legal system in Ancient Rome in the fifth century BCE.

Example Question #46 : Political And Governmental Structures 600 Bce To 600 Ce

Which Athenian leader presided over the "Golden Age" of the city?

Possible Answers:

Xenophon

Alcibiades

Pericles

Thucydides

Socrates

Correct answer:

Pericles

Explanation:

Pericles, the city's dictator, ruled Athens at the height of the city's military and cultural influence. Both a great statesman and soldier, he is considered one of the most important figures in ancient history. Unfortunately, he was carried off by plague in 429 BC and the city was never the same.

Example Question #1 : Political And Governmental Structures 600 Ce To 1450

Which government required all potential bureaucrats to pass rigorous civil service exams?

Possible Answers:

Renaissance Italy

Olmec Empire

Dynastic China

Mughal Empire

Holy Roman Empire

Correct answer:

Dynastic China

Explanation:

As far back as the Han dynasty, China demonstrated an elaborate bureaucracy. Entry to this bureaucracy was dependent on the results of civil service exams for all eligible contenders. 

Example Question #2 : Political And Governmental Structures 600 Ce To 1450

The breakdown of imperial structures in Europe, after the fall of Rome, caused the rise of __________________.

Possible Answers:

Communism

feudalism

capitalism

tribalism

democratic republics

Correct answer:

feudalism

Explanation:

After the fall of Rome, European political structures changed from an imperial model, in which a sovereign had both legal and real authority over military and economic policies, to a feudal system, in which aristocrats pledged their allegiance to a king, and were expected to provide men-at-arms and taxes.

Communism is a political ideology within the Marxist school of thought, which did not begin until the 19th century.

There were few, if any, democratic Republics during this period.

Capitalism did not begin until the end of the feudal period.

Tribalism can be found all over the world, even to this day, but the breakdown of Rome did not cause Europe to become tribal.

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