AP Euro Midterm Practice Quiz

Florence was a center of Renaissance art, culture, and humanism. Wealthy patrons, notably the Medici family, funded artists and scholars, helping to drive the cultural revival.

Michelangelo is celebrated for painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling, a masterpiece that exemplifies the artistry and humanistic focus of the Renaissance. His work remains one of the most influential achievements in Western art.

Papal corruption, particularly the sale of indulgences, was a major grievance for reformers like Martin Luther. This criticism ignited the Protestant Reformation, fundamentally reshaping European religious life.

Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses challenged the Catholic Church's practices and directly spurred the Reformation. This document questioned church authority and sparked widespread religious debate across Europe.

René Descartes introduced the famous dictum 'Cogito, ergo sum,' emphasizing doubt and individual reason as the foundations of knowledge. His ideas were pivotal in shaping modern Western philosophy.

Absolute monarchies centralized power in the hands of a single ruler who faced minimal institutional constraints. This system is best exemplified by rulers such as Louis XIV of France.

Enlightenment thinkers championed reason, individualism, and skepticism towards traditional power structures. Their philosophies laid the groundwork for modern democratic ideas and scientific progress.

The storming of the Bastille in 1789 symbolized the revolt against the oppressive regime in France. It marked the beginning of radical political change and is widely recognized as a catalyst for the French Revolution.

The Peace of Westphalia concluded prolonged religious conflicts and introduced the principle of state sovereignty. This framework laid the foundation for the modern international system.

Mercantilism focused on building national wealth through a positive balance of trade and strict government control. This economic philosophy dominated Europe before the rise of modern capitalism.

The printing press revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge by making books and pamphlets widely available. This breakthrough accelerated the spread of Renaissance humanism and Reformation ideas across Europe.

Growing nationalist sentiment among the diverse Italian states spurred movements toward unification. Influential leaders such as Cavour and Garibaldi played crucial roles in consolidating Italy into a single nation-state.

John Locke emphasized natural rights and the idea that governments should be based on the consent of the governed. His theories have had a lasting impact on modern democratic and constitutional frameworks.

The balance of power was a key diplomatic concept used to prevent any single nation from becoming too dominant in Europe. It involved forming alliances and strategic counterweights among states.

The Scientific Revolution shifted European thought from reliance on ancient authorities to methods based on observation and experimentation. This transformation laid the groundwork for modern scientific inquiry and critical reasoning.

Enlightenment thinkers argued that governments should be founded on reason and the protection of individual liberties rather than religious authority. Their ideas led to the establishment of secular institutions and constitutional frameworks in Europe.

The Battle of Waterloo in 1815 marked the final and decisive defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. This loss led to his exile and dramatically reshaped the political landscape of Europe.

Romanticism arose in response to the rationalism of the Enlightenment and the mechanization brought on by the Industrial Revolution. It celebrated individual emotion, the beauty of nature, and the exploration of the supernatural.

The Treaty of Utrecht concluded the War of Spanish Succession and led to a significant redistribution of territorial power in Europe. Its terms had a lasting impact on the balance of power and the political boundaries of the continent.

The Congress of Vienna was convened after the Napoleonic Wars to restore order and balance in Europe. By redrawing national boundaries and establishing frameworks for diplomacy, it contributed to nearly a century of relative peace on the continent.