AP European History

Advanced Placement European History studying European civilization from 1450 to present.

The Renaissance and HumanismThe Reformation and Religious ChangeThe Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment
Industrialization and Social ChangeNationalism, Imperialism, and World WarsContemporary Europe: Integration and Challenges
Analyzing Primary SourcesConnecting Past and PresentBuilding Critical Thinking with History
Mastering Document-Based Questions (DBQs)Effective Study and Review TechniquesApproaching Multiple Choice Questions
The Renaissance and ...The Reformation and ...The Scientific Revol...Industrialization an...Nationalism, Imperia...Contemporary Europe:...Analyzing Primary So...Connecting Past and ...Building Critical Th...Mastering Document-B...Effective Study and ...Approaching Multiple...
Practical Applications

Analyzing Primary Sources

Unlocking the Past with Primary Sources

Primary sources are firsthand accounts from the time period you’re studying—letters, diaries, official documents, art, or even newspaper articles. Learning to analyze these sources is essential for understanding history as historians do.

How to Analyze

  • Identify the author and audience: Who created the source, and for whom?
  • Contextualize: When and where was it made? What was happening at the time?
  • Read critically: What perspective or bias might be present?
  • Interpret: What can you learn about society, beliefs, and events from this document?

Real-World Application

These skills go beyond history class! They help you evaluate news, social media, and other information in everyday life.

Examples

  • Reading Napoleon’s letters to understand his motivations during the Napoleonic Wars.

  • Analyzing a 1945 newspaper article to see how people reacted to the end of World War II.

Next
Connecting Past and Present
Analyzing Primary Sources - AP European History Content | Practice Hub