AP European History 2015-2016
SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS
Ms. Gentry (mg3chs@aol.com)
TEXT: A HISTORY OF WESTERN SOCIETY (CHS/Houghton/Mifflin)
OUTSIDE READING: obtain these books during the summer…don’t wait until the last minute…local
bookstores may carry a only a few copies of these books. I will tell Books-A-Million that students will be looking
for these books. Or…see if you can obtain these books from former AP Euro students.
AP Achiever (McGraw-Hill, Chris Freiler, ISBN 978-0-07-325672-6)
THE PRINCE (Machiavelli) 1st Nine Weeks
CANDIDE (Voltaire) 2nd Nine Weeks
THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY (Michael Crichton) 3RD Nine Weeks
WEBB SITES:
www.angelfire.com/tx/sandersonAP
www.thecaveonline.com
www. historyteacher.net
SUPPLIES:
-RING BINDER, PAPER, & “DIVIDERS”
SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS
DUE 1ST WEEK OF SCHOOL
AP ACHIEVER: Read & outline Chapter 3: The Rise of Europe…follow this outline
I. A NOTE ON GEOGRAPHY
II. THE ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL INHERITANCE
A. TRENDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RISE OF EUROPE
B. HERITAGE OF ANCIENT THE WORLD
C. HERITAGE OF THE MEDIEVAL WORLD
2) GO TO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION…BILL OF RIGHTS IN ACTION
(WWW.CRF-USA-ORG) Read the following articles and note key points
The Hebrews and the Foundation of Western law
ST. Thomas Aquinas
Petrarch, the Father of Humanism
3) READ THE PRINCE , ANSWER STUDY QUESTIONS (attached)
For more background information on Machiavelli & The Prince go to www.newyorker.com
The Florentine (September 15, 2008)
4) LABEL MAPS OF EUROPE: POLITICAL & PHYSICAL (MAP TEST 1ST WEEK OF SCHOOL)
Success in APEH is directly correlated to your keeping up with the reading assignments and written
work. Assignments will be posted on the board, you are to bring your work to class each day. You will
be expected to supplement your notes with notes from the class lecture.
1st Semester: 1450-1815 (Renaissance thru Congress of Vienna)
2nd Semester: 1815 – 2005 (Congress of Vienna to the present)
(See maps in associated file)
STUDY GUIDE: THE PRINCE…NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI
MACHIAVELLI’S THE PRINCE IS ONE OF THE EARLIEST WORKS ON POLITICAL SCIENCE. THOUGH
MACHIAVELLI DOES NOT STRESS ONE TYPE OF GOVERNMENT OVER ANOTHER, HE ATTEMPTS TO
ESTABLISH SOME UNIVERSAL TRUTHS ABOUT THE BEST METHODS OF GOVERNING.
THERE WILL BE A TEST FOLLOWING OUR DISCUSSION OF THE BOOK.
On a separate sheet of paper answer the following questions…thoroughly. We will discuss these questions in
class before you turn them in so you will have the opportunity to clarify your answers before they are graded.
1) Discuss the political situation in Italy that prompted the composition of The Prince. To whom is The Prince
addressed? Why does Machiavelli, who deep in his heart is a republican, address himself to a prince?
2) The Prince can be divided into how many parts? What is the major topic of each?
3) Which historical personage can be considered the ideal model of The Prince? Why?
4) List & discuss the four types of principalities and the means by which they are acquired.
* Which is the easiest to acquire and why?
* Which is maintained with the fewest difficulties, with the most difficulties?
* Include the five solutions Machiavelli offers to rulers of mixed principalities.
5) How should cities or principalities used to living in freedom be administered? Should a prince respect their
inherent liberties?
6) Discuss the means by which Machiavelli suggests Princes may defend themselves against their enemies.
What does he consider to be the two most important assets of any state? Discuss.
7) Discuss the various military methods by which the Prince may gain and consolidate power.
8) Discuss the various attributes/qualities and actions of a Prince in power.(Hint: virtue vs. vices…there should
be about 11…ie: is it better for a prince to be “liberal” or frugal, is it more beneficial for a Prince to be loved or
feared.) State several means by which a Prince can gain esteem.
9) Discuss the relationship between a Prince and his ministers…are capable and faithful ministers essential to a
Prince ? What does Machiavelli say about “flatterers” ?
10) What does Machiavelli considered role of “fortune” to be on political science ?
11) SUMMARIZE THE BASIC THEMES OF THE PRINCE
Have a great summer & see you in August!!!