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 #631 : Political History

Longterm consequences of the Crusades include __________.

I. Worsening relations between the Islamic and the Christian world

II. A reawakening of classical knowledge in Europe

III. Greater technological exchange in Eurasia

IV. The growth of chivalry in Europe

 

Possible Answers:

I, III, and IV

I, II, and IV

I, II, III, and IV

I, II, and III

II and III

Correct answer:

I, II, III, and IV

Explanation:

All of these were part of the longterm consequences of the Crusades. The role of knights in the Crusades led to the growth of chivalry as a social code in Europe. Relations between the Islamic and Christian world naturally worsened as a result of two centuries of warfare and massacres. In many ways, we are still feeling the effects of this today; however, there were positive consequences too. The reawakening of classical knowledge, that had for so long been preserved by the Byzantines and the Islamic empires of the Middle East, led to the Renaissance in Europe. The exposure to Middle Eastern technology led to greater technological exchange in Eurasia, which was particularly beneficial to the Europeans.

Example Question #632 : Political History

Which of these best describes Islamic resistance to the Crusades?

Possible Answers:

initially weak and disorganized, but growing stronger over time

initially strong and coordinated by the Seljuk Turks, before growing weaker over time

initially strong and coordinated by the Abbasid Caliphate, before growing weaker over time

initially weak and disorganized, but growing stronger after the rise of the Abbasid Caliphate

initially strong and coordinated by the Mamluk Sultanate, before growing weaker over time

Correct answer:

initially weak and disorganized, but growing stronger over time

Explanation:

In the late-eleventh century, at the time of the First Crusade, the Islamic world was highly fragmented and resistance was weak and poorly organized. The Abbasid Caliphate was very weak at this time and incapable of coordinating resistance. However, over time the Islamic resistance grew much stronger and by the time of the Third Crusade (1189 - 1212), they were able to hold off the Christian advance on Jerusalem.

Example Question #631 : Political History

Which of the following was NOT a motivation for the crusades of the Middle Ages?

Possible Answers:

To liberate the people of Jerusalem from oppressive rulers 

To prevent the military advancement of Turkish armies into western Europe

To spread the Christian faith and convert "pagans" 

Crusaders were guaranteed places in heaven along with the possibility of amassing wealth on earth

To reclaim Jerusalem and other holy sites from Muslim armies and impose Christian kings

Correct answer:

To liberate the people of Jerusalem from oppressive rulers 

Explanation:

The stated goal of the crusades was reclaiming Jerusalem from Muslim armies and spreading the "true faith" of Christianity. In addition to the religious goals, the crusades provided significant opportunities for political gain. In the middle ages, land was power and a war meant the opportunity to gain land. Noblemen from across western Europe flocked to the Middle East in an effort to gain the glory that would lead to greater power abroad that would translate back to their homelands. The Europeans saw anyone who was not of the Christian faith as a pagan or a heretic who was living in sin, they had little to no regard for the inhabitants of the cities they were fighting for.

Example Question #632 : Political History

Which of the following was NOT a result of the crusades? 

Possible Answers:

Women were elevated in society after being forced to handle legal and business affairs for their estates while their husbands were at war

Christian forces ruling the Holy Land

Solidified the split between the eastern and western church after the destruction of Constantinople

New found discrimination against non-Christian peoples such as Jews and Muslims

Increased trade between eastern and western civilizations

Correct answer:

Christian forces ruling the Holy Land

Explanation:

While the crusades were a constant back and forth between European and Islamic forces, the crusaders were unable to ever permanently drive Islamic armies out of Jerusalem and other Holy Lands. 

Example Question #633 : Political History

Which of these territories was not conquered during the initial wave of Islamic conquest in the seventh and eighth centuries?

Possible Answers:

These territories were all conquered during the initial wave of Islamic conquest.

North Africa

Spain

Egypt

Persia

Correct answer:

These territories were all conquered during the initial wave of Islamic conquest.

Explanation:

Islam emerged in Arabia in the early seventh century and practically exploded onto the world stage. Within a century of the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Islamic territory stretched from Spain, all the way across North Africa and the Middle East, to as far east as modern-day Pakistan.

Example Question #1353 : Ap World History

What was the result of the First Crusade?

Possible Answers:

conquest of Jerusalem and the establishment of the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt

conquest of Constantinople and the destruction of the Byzantine Empire

the defeat of the forces of Christendom and the continued control of Jerusalem by the Seljuk Turks

conquest of Jerusalem and the establishment of Crusader States in the Middle East

the defeat of the forces of Christendom and the continued control of Constantinople by the Seljuk Turks

Correct answer:

conquest of Jerusalem and the establishment of Crusader States in the Middle East

Explanation:

The First Crusade was waged from 1096-1099 and ended with the brutally violent conquest of Jerusalem by the Crusaders. The Crusaders established a series of small Crusader States on the Mediterranean coast of the Middle East, which they would rule with varying degrees of control for the next two centuries.

 

Example Question #634 : Political History

When was the last Crusader State abandoned?

Possible Answers:

Nineteenth century

Fifteenth century

Eleventh century

Thirteenth century

Seventeenth century

Correct answer:

Thirteenth century

Explanation:

Most of the so-called Crusader States (sometimes also called Latin States) were created in the aftermath of the First Crusade. They were generally small, militarized kingdoms located on the Mediterranean coast of the Middle East. They gradually declined or were conquered by the forces of Islam, however, and the last Crusader State was abandoned by the Europeans towards the end of the Thirteenth Century.

Example Question #635 : Political History

Joan of Arc was influential in which of these European conflicts?

Possible Answers:

Thirty Years’ War

War of Spanish Succession

Hundred Years’ War

War of Austrian Succession

War of the Roses

Correct answer:

Hundred Years’ War

Explanation:

Joan of Arc was poor peasant girl who lived in France in the fifteenth century. She was instrumental in aiding French victory over the English in the Hundred Years’ War.

Example Question #1 : War And Civil Conflict 1450 To 1750

The Janissaries were the elite fighting force of which empire?

Possible Answers:

The Mughal Empire

The Han Dynasty

The Mongol Empire

The Holy Roman Empire

The Ottoman Empire

Correct answer:

The Ottoman Empire

Explanation:

Janissaries were a highly trained elite fighting force of the Ottoman Empire. All the soldiers were Slaves of the state. Christian families were required to give one son to Islam, while they were held against their will they received extensive education, and the most elite were trained to become Janissaries.

Example Question #1 : War And Civil Conflict 1450 To 1750

The Landsknecht were German speaking mercenary soldiers famous for using _________________.

Possible Answers:

Japanese katanas purchased from the Dutch through their colony on the Japanese island of Dejima

muskets and axes

punt guns

arquebuses, pikes, and broadswords

sarissa, small shields, and daggers

Correct answer:

arquebuses, pikes, and broadswords

Explanation:

The Landsknecht were famous for using arquebuses, pikes, and broadswords. Pikes were usually used to stop enemy cavalry, broadswords were used to repel enemy pikes, and arquebuses were used to gain advantage over enemies (especially the Swiss) who did not use firearms.

The Sarissa, small shields, and daggers were hallmarks of Alexander the Great's ancient invasion of Perisa, not the medieval Landsknecht.

The Landsknecht were not known to use axes, and muskets hadn't been invented yet.

Punt guns were used in the 19th century to hunt waterfowl, not by the medieval Landsknecht in combat.

Landsknecht never used Japanese katanas.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors