AP World History : Social History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Social History

Which of these best describes the relationship between the African National Congress and the system of apartheid in South Africa during the twentieth century?

Possible Answers:

The African National Congress offered vocal support for apartheid

The African National Congress abhorred apartheid and campaigned passionately for its termination

The African National Congress offered tacit support for apartheid

The African National Congress stayed out of the internal affairs of states, yet occasionally criticized the mentality behind the system of apartheid

The African National Congress stayed out of the internal affairs of states and so offered no opinion on apartheid

Correct answer:

The African National Congress abhorred apartheid and campaigned passionately for its termination

Explanation:

The African National Congress is not a confederation of African states, rather it is a major political party in South Africa. The African National Congress is the party of Nelson Mandela and was the first party to be elected in the multi racial democratic elections of 1994, following the end of apartheid. The African National Congress abhorred apartheid and worked tirelessly and passionately for its end.

Example Question #3 : Ethnic Identities 1900 To Present

The primary goal of apartheid was to _______________.

Possible Answers:

control the black population and prevent organized resistance

restrict the freedom of movement of the black population and prevent access to higher education institutions

eliminate terrorism and close the nation’s borders

reduce educational and economic opportunities for the black population

control the immigrant population and prevent organized resistance

Correct answer:

control the black population and prevent organized resistance

Explanation:

The primary goal of apartheid in South Africa was to control the country’s black population, prevent organized resistance, and ensure the legal superiority of the country’s white population. It was a formal policy of the ruling party of South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s. It was not formally abolished until 1991 and not fully overturned until the elections of 1994, which ushered into power Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress.

Example Question #3 : Ethnic Identities 1900 To Present

How many Jews were killed during the Holocaust?

Possible Answers:

Approximately six million

Almost one million

We cannot determine an estimate

About ten million

Correct answer:

Approximately six million

Explanation:

The Holocaust occurred between 1941–45 and refers to the mass killing of minorities under the Nazi regime. This systematic slaughter impacted approximately 11 million people. 

Records estimate around 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators, though this number of deaths doesn't include those who were also targeted. This includes the disabled, homosexuals, and those deemed racially inferior such as the Slavs and Roma people.

Example Question #5 : Ethnic Identities 1900 To Present

The Nuremberg Laws established __________.

Possible Answers:

Hitler’s control over the German Reichstag

Hitler’s control over the German police force

legal discrimination against Jewish people living in Nazi Germany

the Nazi policy of genocide against the Jewish population of Europe

the Nazi policy of Lebensraum

Correct answer:

legal discrimination against Jewish people living in Nazi Germany

Explanation:

The Nuremberg Laws were introduced to German society in 1935. They codified the inferior legal status of Jewish people living in Nazi Germany by making it illegal for Germans and Jews to marry and to have extramarital affairs and by declaring that Jews were not citizens of Hitler’s Reich. The Nuremberg Laws may be understood as precursor to the horrors of the Holocaust.

Example Question #4 : Ethnic Identities 1900 To Present

Who was elected in South Africa in the first free democratic election after the end of apartheid?

Possible Answers:

F.W. De Klerk

Nelson Mandela

Desmond Tutu

Jacob Zuma

Thabo Mbeki

Correct answer:

Nelson Mandela

Explanation:

The first multiracial democratic elections after the end of apartheid were held in South Africa in 1994. Nelson Mandela was elected President. The African National Congress, the party of Mandela, has ruled as the leading party in South African government ever since.

Example Question #41 : Social History

The racial policy of segregation known as apartheid was a feature of which country’s politics for much of the twentieth century?

Possible Answers:

South Africa

The United States

Brazil

Australia

India

Correct answer:

South Africa

Explanation:

The racial policy of apartheid was design to ensure legal discrimination against black people living in South Africa for much of the twentieth century.

Example Question #1 : Socioeconomic Classes

Who formed the highest social class of Republican and early Imperial Rome?

Possible Answers:

Senators

Legionaries

Equites

Plebians

Patricians

Correct answer:

Patricians

Explanation:

The patrician class was a small number of elite families who could allegedly trace their lineages back to the founding of the republic. They would own slaves as well as massive parts of the city, and made great financial contributions to both the military and the city's infrastructure. Equites were the lower ranked level of the aristocracy, roughly equivalent to "knights" in later eras. Plebians (also known as plebs) were non-patrician members of society. Senators were non-elected legislators. Legionaries were professional soldiers. 

Example Question #2 : Socioeconomic Classes

In which caste would you most likely find a Hindu priest?

Possible Answers:

Brahmin 

 Vaishyas

Kshatriyas

Dalit

Shudra

Correct answer:

Brahmin 

Explanation:

Brahmin are in the highest caste of Indian society, it is a cast reserved for holy men. Dalit, Shudra, Kshatriyas and Vaishya represent the untouchables, laborers, nobles and artisans respectively. The caste system is rigid and there is very little crossover between classes.

Example Question #1 : Major World Empires

Which of the following is a factor that contributed to the collapses of both the classical empires of Rome and Han?

Possible Answers:

Invasion by the Huns

Increases in population

Invasion by the Visigoths

Difficulty collecting taxes

Decreases in population

Correct answer:

Difficulty collecting taxes

Explanation:

Difficulty in collecting taxes was a major contributing factor to the fall of both the Han and Roman empires. In the Roman Empire, wealthy land owners avoided paying taxes, and tax collectors were often driven away by the private armies of these wealthy landowners. In the Han Empire, scholar officials were not required to pay taxes, and an increase in population led to smaller family farm operations, which in turn made it more difficult for people—especially in the peasant class—to pay taxes.

While the population increase in the Han Empire contributed to its collapse, the collapse of the Roman Empire was partially attributable to population decreases caused by plagues.

Invasion by the Huns and the Visigoths took place only in the Roman Empire, not in the Han Empire.

Example Question #3 : Socioeconomic Classes 600 Bce To 600 Ce

The caste system is most commonly associated with which of these countries?

Possible Answers:

Kenya

Brazil

India

The United Kingdom

China

Correct answer:

India

Explanation:

The caste system is a system of social hierarchy that is most commonly associated with India and Indian history.

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