AP European History Summer Work
Welcome to AP European History! This course is comparable in scope and difficulty to a college-level
course. AP European History’s principle goal is to foster a deeper understanding of the cultural, diplomatic,
economic, intellectual, political, and social history of Europe from the High Renaissance (1450) to the present.
While using primary and secondary sources alongside a college-level textbook, students will learn to read with
discrimination and to express concise and coherent ideas orally and in writing. It will prepare students to take
the AP European exam in May.
Books to Purchase (required):
1. “The Annotated Mona Lisa: A Crash course in Art History from Prehistoric to Postmodern.” By Strickland
and Boswell. Andrews and McMeel; 1992. ISBN: 0836280059. (approximately $10 on amazon)
2. “Strive for a 5: Preparing for the AP European History Exam” Accompanies the textbook: A history of
Western Society for AP Eleventh edition by McKay, Crowston…
Examples of online retailers (paperback)—It should be between $30-$40
a. Order on Amazon ISBN #: 9781457652684 : $33
b. eCampus.com ISBN # 9781457652684-- $37 .39
Supplies to Purchase:
Plenty of pens and pencils
3 Ring Binder with dividers
Highlighters
Summer Work Due Dates
August 15, 2014
Part II and Part III, Reading, questions and essay on The Prince
August 15, 2014
Part IV, Reading and chart from The Annotated Mona Lisa
September 3, 2014
(First Day of School)
Part I, Map test
September 3, 2014
(First Day of School)
September 4, 2014
(Second Day of School)
Part V, Reading of Section 1 from a Strive for a 5
Part VI, Textbook assignments
Please submit assignments II, III, and IV to the guidance department by Noon on August 15, 2014.
A map test will be given in class on the first day of school and discuss Section 1 from a Strive for a 5.
We will begin reviewing Chapter 11 on the second day of school.
Please e-mail: angle@dboone.org if you have any questions about the coursework during the summer
months. I look forward to working with each of you this fall!
Best,
Mr. Angle
Part I: Map Work
Modern Europe
1. Locate the following on the map provided (do not simply copy one already filled in on the Internet). You may use an
atlas or other reference materials to find the locations.
2. Make sure you use a current map of Europe.
3. Make sure you clearly identify and label each location.
4. You may use another blank map, or enlarge the one provided, if you need more space.
5. Coloring is optional.
*Be prepared to locate each of the following on a map test on the first day of school*
Countries
1. Portugal
2. Spain
3. France
4. England
5. Ireland
6. Scotland
7. Belgium
8. Netherlands
9. Luxemburg
10. Germany
11. Denmark
12. Poland
13. Czech Republic
14. Slovakia
15. Austria
16. Switzerland
17. Italy
18. Hungary
19. Corsica (France)
20. Bosnia
21. Croatia
22. Slovenia
23. Macedonia
24. Serbia
25. Albania
26. Greece
27. Bulgaria
28. Romania
29. Ukraine
30. Russia
31. Norway
32. Sweden
33. Finland
34. Lithuania
35. Latvia
36. Estonia
37. Turkey
38. Morocco (Africa)
39. Egypt (Africa)
40. Algeria (Africa)
Bodies of Water
41. North Sea
42. English Channel
43. Atlantic Ocean
44. Mediterranean Sea
45. Black Sea
46. Baltic Sea
47. Dardanelles
48. Bosporus
Cities
49. Madrid
50. Paris
51. London
52. Dublin
53. Amsterdam
54. Brussels
55. Munich
56. Berlin
57. Geneva
58. Rome
59. Florence
60. Venice
61. Vienna
62. Prague
63. Warsaw
64. Athens
65. Moscow
66. St. Petersburg
67. Istanbul
Regions and Rivers
68. Iberian Peninsula
69. Balkan Peninsula
70. Crimean Peninsula
71. Normandy (France)
72. Alps
73. Rhine River
74. Thames River
75. Seine River
76. Danube River
77. Crimean Peninsula
Part II: The Prince
Read The Prince, by Machiavelli, and answer the questions. Type your answers. Your answers
must be thoughtful and thorough. We will be using Machiavelli’s ideas for rulers throughout the year;
therefore, it is imperative that you have a good grasp of the ideas. The entire text is available on several
websites, including
http://www.ilt.columbia.edu/publications/machiavelli.html
The Prince
1. Why did Machiavelli write The Prince?
2. Name the three major themes of The Prince. (HINT: Look at the chapter titles)
3. Describe the role of armies according to Machiavelli.
4. How does Machiavelli’s advice concerning the prince’s conduct in chapters 15-19 conflict with the
advice previous writers would have given?
5. Why does Machiavelli say that it is better for a prince "to be both loved and feared?" Is it possible
for a prince to be both? Explain.
6. List and describe ten characteristics of a Machiavellian ruler.
7. As you perceive it, describe what a state might be like under a Machiavellian ruler.
Part III: Essay
Choose one contemporary European leader, who has been in power at some time in the last 30
years. Research this leader’s biography, especially his or her political style and accomplishments or
failures. You will receive at most half credit if you disregard this instruction and choose a non-European
or non-contemporary leader. Once you have researched this European leader, please write an essay
addressing the following topic:
ESSAY TOPIC:
Consider whether and how your chosen leader’s life does or does not show that Machiavelli’s
advice to leaders is still relevant today. As you discuss the life and work of your leader, make sure that
you include (and cite) relevant quotes from “The Prince.” This essay should be at least five (5) pages
typed, double space, size 12 font, and with 1 inch margins. Be sure to proofread your work!
Part IV: The Annotated Mona Lisa
This assignment is designed to evaluate your skill to teach yourself. This skill is indeed
imperative in any AP/college course because given the strict time constraints we will not be able to
cover all the material in class and you will therefore be responsible to digest significant portions of it by
yourself, using just the textbook
In The Annotated Mona Lisa, the sections on ancient and medieval art emphasize context and
historical relevance: What kind of people did it take to build the Egyptian pyramids? How has their
work influenced the architecture of today? The sections on Renaissance and Baroque art, the nineteenth
century, and the modern era touch on all the major figures of the times, while continuing to explain the
cultural context out of which the art evolved. A time line at the beginning of each section ties it all
together, noting the significant historical events that shaped the art world and the world at large.
You should use the structure of the book to help you navigate the material. Make sure you
understand the historical and cultural context of each art period and the overall trajectory the art has
taken over the centuries. For instance, think about the different trends chronologically:
o Why did Baroque come after Renaissance but before Impressionism?
o How did the techniques and the subjects change over time, and why?
o What was the role of art in the different periods and what did it mean for the position of an artist
in society?
o You should also remember the main representatives of each period and be able to recognize the
name of the “supporting cast.” You will find the text in boxes with red, capital letter- headings
(such as ‘Abstract Expressionism’ in the bottom left corner of p. 158) especially useful.
You need to know the major artists for stylistic period and their basic techniques/approaches to
art. That means you should create a list (or a table or a timeline chart – depending on what suits you
best) in which you show:
o Major art period (ex. Romanticism),
o Representative artists (ex. Gericault, Delacroix, Constable, etc.),
o Classification (what approach they are identified by; ex. Emphasis on sensibility),
o Its meaning (ex. rebelling against the Neoclassicism of the Enlightenment).
o You should also trace the influence of the period (who relied on whose ideas; who added to or
modified whose method, etc.)
Do not let yourself be overwhelmed by the details. For example, do not worry about telling apart
Gainsborough and Reynolds (p.58), the different countries’ baroque styles (p.59) or the different
Impressionist painters (p. 97) at this point. Focus on European art (read the sections on American artists
to get the full story but you will not be tested on those). Read the artists’ life stories to understand their
context better but do not worry about recalling details of their personal lives. Also, do not worry about
remembering precise dates.
Major art periods (many periods are covered by the book but limit yourself to the following):
Gothic art
Art Nouveau
Renaissance (Italian v northern)
Impressionism
Baroque
Post-Impressionism
Roccoco
Cubism
Neoclassicism
Dada
Romanticism
Surrealism
Realism
Abstract expressionism
Part V: Strive for a 5: Preparing for the AP European History Exam
Read over Section 1: Strategies for the AP Exam to become familiar with the AP European
History Exam. Be prepared to ask questions about any of the information in this section and use the
strategies and information outlined in this section throughout the year.
Part VI: Textbook Assignments
Part A: Historical Thinking, Reading, and Writing Skills for AP European History
Read the first section, Historical Thinking, Reading, and Writing Skills for AP European History
from pages xxxv to xlvii.
For the AP Exam you will be required to use each skill or style of writing described in this
section of the text. For each sub section that is colored blue and orange identify the skill or type of
writing and take notes on the distinguishing characteristics.
Example:
Skill 1: Chronological
Reasoning


Thinking logically about how and why changes occurred
Relationship of the past to present
Part B: Chapter 11, The Later Middle Ages
1. Read and take notes on Chapter 11 pages 322-354
a. Organize your notes based upon the sections provided by the textbook
b. Also take notes on all maps, graphics, and pull-out sections. If questions are answer
those using bulleted ideas instead of taking notes.
Example
Prelude to Disaster
(text)



End of 13th century- economic slowdown in Europe
Climate change-lower food production
Economic and social problems resulted
Map 11.1 Course of
Black Death
(map/pull-out section)



Plague in Paris: 1348
1 year for all of Northern France and Southern Germany
Spared regions: Cities of Bruges, Liege, Nuremburg, and part of
Pyrenees Mts.
As trade expanded the plague spread along the major trade routes.
Areas without major trade routes are less impacted or last to receive
plague


2. Identify and explain the significance of the key terms found on page 354. You may create
flash cards or define them on a sheet of note paper.