ap european history live cram sessions 2020 study guides

Key Events and Timeline

• The Renaissance began in Italy in the 14th century and spread throughout Europe by the 16th century
  • Marked by a revival of classical learning, art, and culture (humanism)
  • Key centers of the Renaissance included Florence, Venice, and Rome
• The Age of Exploration began in the 15th century with the Portuguese and Spanish voyages
  • Christopher Columbus reached the Americas in 1492, initiating the Columbian Exchange
  • Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498, establishing direct trade routes between Europe and Asia
• The Protestant Reformation started in 1517 with Martin Luther's 95 Theses
  • Challenged the authority and practices of the Catholic Church
  • Led to the establishment of Protestant denominations (Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism)
• The Scientific Revolution occurred during the 16th and 17th centuries
  • Marked by advancements in astronomy, physics, and mathematics
  • Key figures included Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton
• The Enlightenment took place in the 18th century, emphasizing reason, individualism, and progress
  • Influenced by the works of philosophers like Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau
  • Contributed to the intellectual foundations of the American and French Revolutions

Major Political Developments

• The rise of absolute monarchies in the 16th and 17th centuries
  • Centralization of power under rulers like Louis XIV of France and Peter the Great of Russia
  • Divine right theory used to justify the monarch's authority
• The English Civil War (1642-1651) and the Glorious Revolution (1688)
  • Conflict between the monarchy and Parliament over political power
  • Establishment of constitutional monarchy and the Bill of Rights in England
• The American Revolution (1765-1783) and the formation of the United States
  • Colonists revolted against British rule and declared independence in 1776
  • Establishment of a democratic republic based on Enlightenment principles
• The French Revolution (1789-1799) and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
  • Overthrow of the monarchy and establishment of a republic
  • Napoleon's rise to power and the creation of the French Empire
• The Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) and the restoration of conservative monarchies
  • Redrawing of European borders after the Napoleonic Wars
  • Attempts to maintain the balance of power and suppress revolutionary movements

Social and Cultural Changes

• The spread of Renaissance humanism and the revival of classical learning
  • Emphasis on individual achievement, secular values, and the study of ancient texts
  • Growth of universities and the printing press facilitated the dissemination of knowledge
• The impact of the Protestant Reformation on religious and social life
  • Challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and promoted individual interpretation of scripture
  • Led to religious conflicts and the fragmentation of Western Christianity
• The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment challenged traditional beliefs
  • Emphasis on empirical observation, experimentation, and rational inquiry
  • Questioning of religious dogma and the promotion of religious tolerance
• The growth of the middle class and the rise of consumer culture
  • Expansion of trade and commerce led to the growth of cities and a new merchant class
  • Increased demand for luxury goods and the development of new forms of entertainment
• Changes in family structure and gender roles
  • Shift from extended to nuclear families in some regions
  • Debate over the role of women in society and the emergence of early feminist ideas

Economic Shifts

• The Commercial Revolution and the expansion of trade networks
  • Growth of banking, joint-stock companies, and new financial instruments
  • Increased trade with Asia, Africa, and the Americas (mercantilism)
• The Agricultural Revolution and the enclosure movement
  • Improvements in farming techniques and the consolidation of land holdings
  • Displacement of peasants and the growth of the landless labor force
• The putting-out system and the early stages of industrialization
  • Production of goods in rural households for urban markets
  • Development of new manufacturing techniques and the division of labor
• The Atlantic slave trade and the plantation economy
  • Forced migration of millions of Africans to the Americas
  • Slave labor used to produce cash crops like sugar, tobacco, and cotton
• The rise of economic theories and policies
  • Mercantilism emphasized the accumulation of gold and silver through trade surpluses
  • Physiocrats and classical economists (Adam Smith) promoted free trade and laissez-faire policies

Technological Advancements

• Improvements in navigation and shipbuilding during the Age of Exploration
  • Magnetic compass, astrolabe, and caravel ships enabled long-distance voyages
  • Expanded trade routes and the establishment of overseas colonies
• The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1450
  • Facilitated the mass production and dissemination of books and ideas
  • Contributed to the spread of the Protestant Reformation and the Scientific Revolution
• Advancements in military technology during the Early Modern period
  • Gunpowder weapons (cannons and muskets) revolutionized warfare
  • Trace italienne fortifications designed to withstand artillery fire
• Agricultural innovations during the Agricultural Revolution
  • Crop rotation, selective breeding, and new farming tools increased productivity
  • Enclosure of open fields and the adoption of new crops (potatoes, maize)
• The development of new manufacturing techniques during the early Industrial Revolution
  • Flying shuttle, spinning jenny, and water frame mechanized textile production
  • Steam engine (James Watt) provided a new source of power for industry and transportation

Key Figures and Their Impact

• Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519): Italian Renaissance polymath known for his art, inventions, and scientific studies
  • Epitomized the Renaissance ideal of the "universal man"
  • Famous works include the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper
• Martin Luther (1483-1546): German theologian and leader of the Protestant Reformation
  • Challenged the authority and practices of the Catholic Church
  • His 95 Theses sparked the Protestant Reformation and the establishment of Lutheranism
• Galileo Galilei (1564-1642): Italian astronomer and physicist, a key figure in the Scientific Revolution
  • Supported the Copernican heliocentric model and made improvements to the telescope
  • Faced the Roman Inquisition for his views and was placed under house arrest
• John Locke (1632-1704): English philosopher and political theorist, a prominent Enlightenment thinker
  • Argued for natural rights, religious tolerance, and the social contract theory of government
  • His ideas influenced the American and French Revolutions
• Adam Smith (1723-1790): Scottish economist and philosopher, known as the "father of modern economics"
  • Wrote The Wealth of Nations, advocating for free trade and the division of labor
  • His ideas laid the foundation for classical economics and the concept of the "invisible hand"

Causes and Consequences

• The Renaissance led to a renewed interest in classical learning and a more secular worldview
  • Contributed to the development of humanism, individualism, and a critical approach to authority
  • Laid the intellectual foundations for the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment
• The Protestant Reformation challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to religious fragmentation
  • Resulted in the establishment of Protestant denominations and religious conflicts (Thirty Years' War)
  • Contributed to the development of national identities and the rise of the modern nation-state
• The Age of Exploration expanded European trade networks and led to the establishment of overseas empires
  • Initiated the Columbian Exchange, which had profound ecological, economic, and cultural consequences
  • Contributed to the rise of the Atlantic slave trade and the exploitation of indigenous peoples
• The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment challenged traditional beliefs and promoted rational inquiry
  • Led to advancements in science, medicine, and technology
  • Influenced political thought and contributed to the intellectual foundations of the American and French Revolutions
• The early Industrial Revolution transformed economic and social structures
  • Led to the growth of cities, the rise of the factory system, and the emergence of new social classes
  • Contributed to the development of capitalism and the global economy

Historical Debates and Interpretations

• The debate over the origins and nature of the Renaissance
  • Some historians argue for a sharp break with the Middle Ages, while others emphasize continuity
  • Discussions about the role of classical learning, individualism, and secularism in the Renaissance
• Interpretations of the Protestant Reformation and its impact on European society
  • Debate over the relative importance of religious, political, and socio-economic factors
  • Discussions about the Reformation's role in the development of modern capitalism (Max Weber's "Protestant work ethic")
• The "Great Divergence" debate and the rise of the West
  • Explanations for why Western Europe surpassed other regions (China, Islamic world) in economic and technological development
  • Theories emphasize factors such as geography, institutions, culture, and colonialism
• The Enlightenment and its relationship to the American and French Revolutions
  • Debate over the extent to which Enlightenment ideas influenced the revolutions
  • Discussions about the role of other factors (social, economic, political) in the causes of the revolutions
• Interpretations of the Industrial Revolution and its impact on society
  • Debate over the pace and nature of industrialization in different regions
  • Discussions about the social and economic consequences of industrialization (living standards, class structure)