UNIT #1 – RENAISSANCE

Past AP Exam Questions

  1. To what extent is the term “Renaissance” a valid concept for a distinct period in early modern European history? (1985-2)
  2. What were the responses of the Catholic authorities in the sixteenth century to the challenges posed by the Lutheran Reformation? (1985-3)
  3. “The Reformation was a rejection of the secular spirit of the Italian Renaissance.” Defend or refute this statement using specific examples from 16th Century Europe. (1986-2)
  4. In the 17th century, how did England and the Dutch Republic compete successfully with France and Spain for control of overseas territory and trade. (1986-3)
  5. Compare and contrast the attitudes of Martin Luther and John Calvin toward political authority and social order. (1995-2)
  6. Assess the extent to which the Protestant Reformation promoted new expectations about social roles in the 16th century. (1996-5)
  7. Compare and contrast the Lutheran Reformation and the Catholic Reformation of the16th century regarding the reform of both religious doctrines and religious practices. (1998-6)
  8. Discuss how Renaissance ideas are expressed in the Italian art of the period, referring to specific works and artists. (1998-6)
  9. “Leadership determines the fate of a country.” Evaluate this quote in terms of Spain’s experience under Philip II. (2000-3)
  10. Compare and contrast the religious policies of TWO of the following:

Elizabeth I of England

Catherine de Medicis of France

Isabella I of Spain (2002-2)

  1. Discuss the political and social consequences of the Protestant Reformation in the first half of the 16th century. (2001-4)
  2. To what extent did political authorities influence the course of the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century? (2002b-2)
  3. To what extent and in what ways did women participate in the Renaissance? (2003b-3)
  4. Analyze the influence of humanism on the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance. Use at least THREE specific works to support your analysis. (2004-5)
  5. Using examples from at least to different states, analyze the key features of the “new monarchies” and the factors responsible for their use in the period 1450-1550. (2005-3)
  6. Compare and contrast the motives and actions of Martin Luther in the German states and King Henry VIII in England in bringing about religious change during the Reformation. (2005-4)
  7. Compare and contrast the relationship between the artist and society in the Renaissance/Reformation period to the relationship between the artist and society in the late 19th century. (2006-2)
  8. Analyze the aims, methods and degree of success of the Catholic Reformation (Counter Reformation) in the 16th century. (2006-3)
  9. Analyze the effects of the Columbian exchange (the interchange of plants, animals and diseases between the Old World and the New World) on the population and economy of Europe in the period 1550 to 1700. (2006-4)
  10. How and to what extent did the methods and ideals of Renaissance humanism contribute to the Protestant Reformation? (2006b-5)
  11. Evaluate the changes and continuities in women’s public roles during the Renaissance. (2009b-2)
  12. Analyze the impacts of the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter Reformation on the social order of 16th century Europe (2009b-3)
  13. Assess the ways in which women participated in and influence the Renaissance and Reformation. (2010b-3)
  14. Analyze the factors that contributed to the increasing centralization of Spain and the factors that contributed to the continuing fragmentation of Italy in the period 1450-1550. (2011-2)
  15. Contrast Renaissance Florence with Reformation Geneva, with respect to religion, government and everyday life. (2011b-4)
  16. Evaluate the changes and continuities in women’s public roles during the Renaissance. (2009b-2)
  17. Assess the ways in which women participated in and influenced the following eras:
  18. The Renaissance
  19. The Reformation (2010b-3)

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