AP European History: 19th Century Review - Let's Ace This! 🚀

Hey! Ready to nail the 19th century? This guide is your express ticket to success, focusing on the big picture and key connections. Let's get started!

The Shifting Sands of Power: 19th Century Europe

This section is crucial! The 19th century is all about the struggle for power, which is a major theme on the AP exam.

The Fragile Balance of Power

• What is it? The distribution of power among European nations, maintained through military, diplomatic, and economic influence.
• Why did it matter? It aimed to prevent any single nation from dominating the continent.

Challenges to the Balance

• Breakdown of the Concert of Europe 🤯:
  • What was it? A system of alliances and diplomacy created after the Napoleonic Wars to maintain peace.
  • Why did it fail? New states emerged, economic ambitions grew, and nationalism/imperialism took hold.
• Unification of Italy and Germany 🇮🇹🇩🇪:
  • Italy (1861): Led by Count Camillo di Cavour.
  • Germany (1871): Led by Otto von Bismarck, a master of Realpolitik (politics based on practical considerations rather than ideology).
  • Impact: These new nation-states completely reshaped the European political landscape.
• Development of Global Empires 🌎:
  • Fueled by the Second Industrial Revolution and technological advancements (railroads, ships).
  • Scramble for Africa: European powers raced to colonize Africa for economic gain and power.

_Caption: The Scramble for Africa, a key example of 19th-century imperialism._

Culture and Mindset: The Spirit of the Age

Don't forget about the cultural shifts! They're just as important as the political changes.

1848 Revolutions: The Spring of Nations

• What were they? A series of widespread protests and uprisings across Europe.
• Impact: Led to the adoption of constitutional monarchies and increased nationalistic sentiment.

Materialism and Artistic Expression

• Materialistic worldview: A growing emphasis on acquiring goods as a sign of power.
• Artistic conflict: A tension between objective, scientific views and individual expression. This is reflected in music and paintings of the era.

Breakdown of the Concert of Europe 🤯

• Why did it fail?
  • Emergence of New States: The unification of Italy and Germany disrupted the established power balance.
  • Economic Ambitions: Nations competed for resources and markets, leading to tensions.
  • Nationalism/Imperialism: These ideologies fueled rivalries and expansionist policies.

Unification of Italy and Germany 🇮🇹🇩🇪

- **Italy:** - Led by Count Camillo di Cavour, who used diplomacy and war to unite the Italian peninsula. - Key events: the Austro-Sardinian War and the Expedition of the Thousand. - **Germany:** - Led by Otto von Bismarck, who used *Realpolitik* and strategic wars to unify the German states. - Key events: the Austro-Prussian War and the Franco-Prussian War.

Development of Global Empires 🌎

- **Second Industrial Revolution:** - New technologies like steel, electricity, and the internal combustion engine transformed industries. - Improved transportation (railroads, steamships) facilitated global expansion. - **Scramble for Africa:** - European powers competed to colonize Africa for raw materials, markets, and strategic advantages. - The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) formalized the division of Africa among European powers.

Final Exam Focus

These are the key areas to focus on for the exam.

• Highest Priority Topics:
  • Balance of Power
  • Nationalism and Unification
  • Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa
  • The Impact of the Industrial Revolution
  • The 1848 Revolutions
• Common Question Types:
  • Causation (why did things happen?)
  • Comparison (how were different nations affected?)
  • Continuity and Change (what stayed the same and what changed?)

Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Don't get bogged down on one question. Move on and come back if time allows.
• Common Pitfalls:
  • Not understanding the prompt.
  • Failing to provide specific evidence.
  • Ignoring the historical context.
• Strategies:
  • Read the prompt carefully and underline key terms.
  • Brainstorm a quick outline before writing.
  • Use specific historical examples to support your arguments.

Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of the Concert of Europe? (A) To promote democratic reforms throughout Europe (B) To establish free trade zones among European nations (C) To maintain a balance of power and prevent major wars (D) To encourage the spread of revolutionary ideals

2. The unification of Germany in the 19th century was primarily achieved through: (A) Peaceful negotiations and democratic elections (B) A series of strategic wars and diplomatic maneuvers (C) Economic cooperation and trade agreements (D) Widespread popular uprisings and revolutions

3. Which of the following was a major consequence of the Scramble for Africa? (A) Increased cooperation and trade among African nations (B) The establishment of democratic governments in African colonies (C) The exploitation of African resources and the imposition of European rule (D) The rapid industrialization of African economies

Short Answer Question

Briefly explain one way in which the rise of nationalism in the 19th century led to conflict. Provide a specific historical example to support your answer.

Free Response Question

Analyze the ways in which the Industrial Revolution contributed to the rise of European imperialism in the 19th century.

Scoring Breakdown for FRQ

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a thesis that makes a historically defensible claim and responds to all parts of the question.
• Contextualization (1 point): Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt.
• Evidence (2 points): Provides specific historical evidence relevant to the topic.
• Analysis and Reasoning (2 points): Explains how the evidence supports the thesis and demonstrates an understanding of historical causation.

You've got this! Remember, you're not just memorizing facts; you're understanding the big picture. Go get 'em! 💪