Politics and Society

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AP European History › Politics and Society

Questions 1 - 10
1

The spread of Calvinism encouraged the rise of which form of government?

Theocracy

Oligarchy

Direct democracy

Republicanism

Constitutional monarchy

Explanation

Calvin differed from Luther and the majority of the rest of the major Protestant reformers because he advocated for the inclusion of the church in the affairs of the state. Calvin believed that the church should be the primary factor in the makeup and decisions of a secular government. As Calvinism spread, this encouraged the rise of theocratic governments in England, Switzerland, and even the New World.

2

Which event led to the creation of a unified Spain?

The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile

The election of the first Spanish pope

The war against England initiated by Philip II

The accession of Cosimo de’ Medici to the Duchy of Barcelona

The Truce of 1398 negotiated by Pope Sixtus V

Explanation

The current country of Spain was divided into two primary kingdoms, Aragon and Castile, each led by a separate family. As was common during this time, a marriage was planned to unify the two kingdoms and make each more powerful than before. The two were married in 1469 when they were both still heirs to their respective thrones. After the marriage each inherited their own throne shortly after and the kingdoms were brought together. Of course this marriage did not completely unify the kingdoms and each continued to be ruled much as it had before, with its own officials, customs, and laws. This marriage did lead to the official unification later on and it made Ferdinand and Isabella two of the most powerful monarchs in Europe, where they were known for wielding their power to defend the Catholic faith.

3

Which family became immensely wealthy by lending money for interest, a policy prohibited by the Catholic Church, and revolutionized political and social life in Florence?

Medici

Bourbon

Plantagenet

Stuart

Cavour

Explanation

Giovanni de Medici was a merchant banker in Florence who made his fortune by ignoring the Catholic Church’s prohibition of lending money for interest. The Medici family became immensely wealthy and was vitally important for encouraging the Italian Renaissance by providing the necessary funds to patronize notable artists. Giovanni’s son and grandson, Cosimo de Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent, became famous rulers of Florence and patrons of the arts.

4

Edmund Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France is centered around arguing in favor of __________.

conservatism

liberalism

republicanism

theocracy

nationalism

Explanation

Edmund Burke wrote his Reflections on the Revolution in France in 1790. In it, Burke condemns the chaos and violence of the French Revolution and argues in favor of the importance of conservatism and the preservation of established institutions of authority. The text has been widely employed in the centuries after it was written to argue in favor of maintaining the status quo and preventing movements towards republicanism, liberalism, and later, socialism.

5

The French became involved in the Thirty Years’ War in order to __________.

combat Hapsburg influence in Central Europe

gain territory in the Baltic

reclaim Alsace-Lorraine and much of the Rhineland

gain independence from the Holy Roman Empire

eradicate Lutheranism

Explanation

The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) is one of the most relatively destructive wars in European history. It began as a religious war, like many others in this time period, between Catholics and Protestants, but eventually expanded to include all the major nations of Western and Central Europe. France entered the war in 1635 to try and prevent the growth of Hapsburg dominance over the Germanic states and Central Europe; in this sense, France was quite successful.

6

Enlightened Despotism was supported by many of the thinkers of the Enlightenment primarily because __________.

they did not trust the ability of the common people to rule effectively

they did not want to encourage violent rebellion and bloodshed

most of them relied on the “Despots” for patronage

they viewed it as the only practical counterweight to religious fervor

None of these answers; Enlightened Despotism was not supported by the thinkers of the Enlightenment.

Explanation

The idea of Enlightened Despotism is that an autocratic ruler will make the necessary enlightened reforms—fostering education, social equality, and the growth of the economy—because doing so is in the best interest of their states. Many Enlightenment thinkers, like Voltaire and Diderot, supported Enlightened Despots because they believed the common people were incapable of self-rule and that Enlightened Despotism was the only way to reliably implement reform.

7

The term "Huguenots" refers to __________.

French Calvinists who frequently clashed with Catholics in the mid-sixteenth century

A group of Catholic priests who hoped to reform the church from within

Peasants who rebelled against the abuses of the French monarchy

Moderate French aristocrats who bolstered the authority of the king

French traitors who defected to the armies of Charles V

Explanation

Huguenots were the name for French Calvinists. During the mid-sixteenth century, many aristocrats converted to Calvinism as part of an ongoing power struggle to decrease the authority of the French monarchy and increase the power of the aristocracy. Huguenot lords clashed with Catholic lords, leading to all-out civil war. The moderate politiques and the eventual ascension of Henry of Navarre to the throne paved the way for peace. King Henry IV passed the Edict of Nantes, which granted some religious liberties to the Huguenots.

8

The Time of Troubles in Russia began following the death of __________.

Ivan the Terrible

Peter the Great

Alexander II

Nicholas I

Mikhail Gorbachev

Explanation

Ivan the Terrible is notable for dramatically expanding the territory of the Russian state and for centralizing authority under the monarchy by persecuting the nobility. He died without leaving an heir, and widespread civil war and disaster erupted in what is known as the Time of Troubles. This era came to an end when the Romanov dynasty took power in 1614; it would rule for the next three centuries until it was overthrown during the Russian Revolution.

9

Which of the following is true about political life in France after the Hundred Years’ War?

Government was centralized under the authority of the king.

Government was decentralized as the power of the nobility rose.

Politics was dominated by religious concerns and the power of the cardinals.

Government was heavily weakened and fragmented by defeat to the English.

Politics was dominated by the army and the power of the generals.

Explanation

After the Hundred Years’ War, the power of the French nobility was weakened, and their finances were nearly exhausted. This allowed the king to centralize power under the monarchy. It also led to a slight opening of French society as the bourgeoise began to emerge as the primary source of revenue for the king.

10

What famous monarch said, "I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too," and in what speech?

Queen Elizabeth I in her Tilbury Speech

Queen Elizabeth I in her Golden Speech

King Henry VIII in his speech to parliament after his coronation

Queen Elizabeth II at the end of WWII

Explanation

Queen Elizabeth I gave a famous speech at Tilbury after the defeat of the Spanish Armada. All throughout her reign Elizabeth had issues with her advisors, parliament, and people because of her gender. Though she was one of England's and the Tudor's most successful rulers, her reign was not without it challenges. One of the greatest came at the end of her reign when King Phillip of Spain attacked with his famous Spanish armada. This quote came from Queen Elizabeth I's final great speech to her people after a great triumph.

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