AP European History : AP European History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP European History

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Example Questions

Example Question #361 : Ap European History

What executive group did Robespierre run when he was the leader of France?

Possible Answers:

The Directory

The National Assembly

The Consulate

The Committee of Public Safety

Correct answer:

The Committee of Public Safety

Explanation:

Robespierre rose to power with the Jacobins as the second President of the Committee of Public Safety. He is famed for his association with the Reign of Terror, which killed thousands of people. Ironically, the Reign of Terror he unleashed ended with his own execution.

Example Question #104 : Political History

Before declaring himself Emperor of France, what group did Napoleon form to govern France?

Possible Answers:

The Directory

The Consulate

The Committee of Public Safety

The National Assembly

Correct answer:

The Consulate

Explanation:

In the final days of the Directory Napoleon conspired with several Directory members to form a coup and form the Consulate as the new French Government. After the successful coup Napoleon was made First Council and head of state.

Example Question #362 : Ap European History

What form of government has a king and parliament working together based on a document that explains their powers?

Possible Answers:

Federal Monarchy

Constitutional Monarchy

Direct Monarchy

Diarchy

Meritocracy

Correct answer:

Constitutional Monarchy

Explanation:

A Constitutional Monarchy fits this description. This is where an elected body and a monarch both hold clearly defined powers as assigned by a constitution or other document, thus sharing power.

Example Question #363 : Ap European History

What is the name of the position in Britain that began as an adviser to the King and eventually became an executive itself?

Possible Answers:

President Pro-tem

Speaker of the House

Member of Parliament

Prime Minister

Correct answer:

Prime Minister

Explanation:

The Prime Minister, as a position, was made in order to be a close adviser of the King, over time the position transitioned to one in the parliament, and to being the leader of the Parliament.

Example Question #363 : Ap European History

Which of the following is not a French Revolutionary government?

Possible Answers:

The Committee of Public Safety

The Directory

The National Assembly

The Consulate

The July Monarchy

Correct answer:

The July Monarchy

Explanation:

The July Monarchy occurred after the French Revolution. After the fall of Napoleon the House of Bourbon was put back on the throne of France. It was, however, very unpopular, and in 1830 a more liberal branch of the family was put on the throne after the July Revolution of 1830.

Example Question #365 : Ap European History

What was the political epicenter of France during the later years of the House of Bourbon?

Possible Answers:

Orleans

Versailles

Paris

Marseille

Correct answer:

Versailles

Explanation:

Louis XIV moved the royal court, and therefore the seat of government from Paris in 1682. The royal court would stay in Versailles until the royal family was taken prisoner and forced back to Paris following the start of the French Revolution in 1789.

Example Question #364 : Ap European History

What legislative body would the King of Pre-Revolutionary France call upon if he wished to raise and collect taxes?

Possible Answers:

The Estates Supreme

The Estates General

The National Assembly

The Legislative Assembly

Correct answer:

The Estates General

Explanation:

The Estates General was made up of three groups, the clergy, the nobles, and everyone else. The representatives of these groups were called to the royal court when the King wanted to collect taxes. The purpose was to give the people a voice to the king on this important issue.

Example Question #365 : Ap European History

Which of the following groups did not have their own estate among the three estates of the Estates General?

Possible Answers:

All others

The Clergy

The Bourgeoisie

The Nobles

Correct answer:

The Bourgeoisie

Explanation:

The three estates in order were the Clergy, the Nobles, and all others. When the King of France needed to raise taxes for the nation he called the Estates General. Often the result would be that the third estate was the one that bore the brunt of the new taxes because the Nobles and Clergy would vote together, and each estate had only one vote. As such the third estate would often find itself as the odd man out.

Example Question #366 : Ap European History

What is the name of the man who became head of state of England after the English Civil War?

Possible Answers:

Thomas Fairfax

Charles II

George Goring

Oliver Cromwell

Correct answer:

Oliver Cromwell

Explanation:

Oliver Cromwell was a commander of the forces of parliament during the war. After the War he was named Lord Protector of the Commonwealth. He essentially ruled as a military dictator for the rest of his life, and he attempted to make his son the next Lord Protector after his death. Parliament, realizing that they had given up one tyrant for another, put a stop to it and invited a new King to take the throne.

Example Question #367 : Ap European History

Who was the French Revolutionary Leader of the Committee of Public Safety that guillotined thousands, only to meet the same fate?

Possible Answers:

Georges Danton

Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne

Pierre Joseph Cambon

Maxamilien Robespierre

Correct answer:

Maxamilien Robespierre

Explanation:

Robespierre was the second President of the Committee of Public Safety. He is commonly associated with the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution as suspected Royalists and sympathizers were killed in the thousands. Eventually he met the same fate as the Reign of Terror spun out of control and caused the Convention to order Robespierre's arrest for attempting to seize control of France.

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