AP European History
Instructor: Gordon Lamb
E-mail: glamb@esdk12.org
Course Website:
Course Description and goals:
The study of European history since 1450 introduces students to intellectual, cultural, political, diplomatic,
social, and economic developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live.
Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for understanding the development of contemporary
institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current
forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events from
the High Renaissance to Contemporary Europe, the goals of AP European History are to develop:
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an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history
an ability to analyze historical evidence through primary sources, such as maps, written documents,
pictorial, and graphic evidence
an ability to analyze historical interpretation, weigh evidence, and reach conclusions supported
through historical evidence and fact.
an ability to express historical understanding in writing.
Specific Requirements:
Course Readings: This course will require you to critically read. The Reading assignments are stated
below in the Course schedule section of this syllabus. Each chapter will have a series of multiple choice,
fill-in-the blank, and short answer questions that confirm reinforce the major concepts and significance of
the historical events. If you do not read the assigned readings and complete the packets, you will not pass
this course.
Analytic Essays: Throughout the semester you will receive two types of Essays: Free Response
Questions (FRQs) and Document-Based Questions (DBQs). You complete four DBQs throughout the
year, and several FRQs. These essays are timed and require more substantial analysis and synthesis of
course topics.
Unit Tests: Tests will be given after every major unit is finished. The test will be structured to reflect a
“mini AP test.” These test will include 40 multiple choice questions and a two free response questions.
The questions will be from previous AP tests.
Final Exam: The Final will be comprehensive and cover all the material that we covered each semester.
The final will consist of 50 multiple choice questions and two FRQs. The Final is designed to help you
review for the AP exam.
Timeline Project: Throughout the year you will be constructing a timeline of all of the significant events
that we discuss in class. You will use a website called timetoast.com. This site allows you to construct a
detailed timeline that will include dates and brief descriptions of the event. This timeline will allow you to
see all of the events that occurring during the same time period, and will help you make connections
between certain epochs. The timeline will be due the week before each final.
Communication Policy:
I will make every effort to arrive at Elizabeth at 7:10 am and will stay after school until 4:15 p.m. Feel
free to come by my classroom before or after school with any questions or concerns. You should always
feel free to e-mail me with any questions or concerns. I will make every effort to respond in a timely
fashion. E-mails over the weekend might not get a response until the following work week.
Grading Plan and Grading Rubric Percentages (Estimated)
Analytic Essays and Projects: 50%
Unit Tests: 30%
Final: 20%
Grade Percentages
A+: 100%-95.5%
B+: 89.4%-85.5%
C+: 79.4%-75.5%
D+: 69.4%-65.5%
F-59.4% and below
A: 95%-92.4%
B: 85%-82.4%
C: 75%-72.4%
D: 66%-62.4%
A-: 92.4%-89.5%
B-: 82.4%-79.5%
C-: 72.4%-69.5%
D-:62.4%-59.5%
Expectations for Classroom Behavior:
Complete the assigned readings. The majority of class periods this semester will include a variety of
group discussions and class activities. The assigned readings provide the necessary background
information to be effective participants in these activities. The assigned readings will be posted on the
board as well as on the course website.
Complete the assigned homework on time! Homework will be collected at the beginning of class. Late
work will be accepted, but will be penalized. If you have an excused absence on the day the assignment is
due, you can turn your assignment on a date that is agreed upon. You can avoid being penalized by
turning the assignment in on time!
Be Present: Being present in class includes being both physically and mentally present in class. Being
physically present means arrive to class on time. Please be in your seat when the bell rings. If you are late
to class, the school policy for tardiness will be enforced. Being mentally present means you are paying
attention. Taking notes about key topics, contributing to class and small group discussions, and asking
questions shows me that you are mentally present.
Please Participate: Throughout the entire semester you are going to be working in small groups as well
as discussing historial topics with the whole class. In order for these discussions to be successful I need to
hear your thoughts about the subjects. While in small group discussions, one person should speak at a
time, and the other students should listen. Once the student is finished with his/her comment, then another
member in the group should respond to his/her remark. During large group discussions, raise your hand
so you don’t interrupt the person speaking.
Be Positive: The comments that you make during class should be constructive to discussion, and further
the class dialogue. Your comments should not offend other students. Also, please refrain from using
offensive language and derogatory terms. This is an academic setting, so discussions should be
educational.
Persevere: This class will be challenging because A.P European History is a challenge subject, but you
can do it! Don’t give up! I will be available before and after school as well as during planning periods.
Please come in and see me if you are having any sort of problem understanding the projects or materials.
Other Information
Each student is to have a notebook and folder specifically for A.P European History. You will need to
keep your assignments, notes, etc. for the duration of the term, so do not throw away notebooks, folders,
or assignments! Please bring your notebook to class everyday!
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to found out what you missed. If you know that you will be
gone ahead of time, it is best to get your work ahead of time.
Course Planner and Texts
The principle textbook for this course is listed below. I rely upon a range of other historical works to
supplement the course textbook and add clarity to specific historical events. These other readings will be
noted on the course schedule.
Kagan, Donald, Steven Ozment, and Frank M. Turner. The Western Heritage. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Prentice Hall.
Tentative Course Schedule
Topic Outline
Each Semester will be divided into three units. At the end of each unit there will be an exam consisting of
40 multiple choice questions and 2 FRQs.
Unit 1
 Late Middle Ages: Social and Political Breakdown: The Black Death; The Hundred Years War
and the rise of National Sentiment; Ecclesiastical Breakdown and Revival: The Late Medieval
Church; Medieval Russia
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Renaissance and the Age of Discovery: The Renaissance in Italy; Italy’s political decline: The
French Invasions (1494-157); Revival of Monarchy in Northern Europe; The Northern
Renaissance; Voyages of Discovery and the New Empire in the West
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The Age of Reformation: Society and Religion; Martin Luther and German Reformation to
1525; The Reformation elsewhere; Political Consideration of the Lutheran Reformation; The
English Reformation to 1553; Catholic Reform and Counter Reformation; The Social
Significance of the Reformation in Western Europe
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Early Modern Society: Family Life in Early Modern Europe
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The Age of Religious Wars: Renewed Religious Struggle; The French Wars of Religion (15621598); Imperial Spain and the Reign of Phillip II (1556-1598): England and Spain (1553- 1603);
The Thirty Years War (1618-1648)
Unit 2
 European State and Consolidation in the 17th and 18th centuries: The Netherlands: Golden
Age to Decline; Two Models of European Political Development: France and England;
Constitutional Crisis and Settlement in Stuart England; Rise of Absolute Monarch in France;
Central and Eastern Europe; Russia Enters the European Political Arena; The Ottoman Empire
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New Directions in Thought and Culture in the 16th and 17th centuries: The Scientific
Revolution; Philosophy Responds to Changing Science; The New Institutions of Expanding
Natural Knowledge; Women in the World of the Scientific Revolution; The New Science of
Religious Faith; Continuing Superstition
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Society and Economy Under the Old Regime in the 18th Century: Major Features of Life in
the Old Regime; The Aristocracy; The Land and Its Tillers; Family Structures and Family
Economy; The Revolution of Agriculture; The Industrial Revolution of the 18th Century; The
Growth of Cities; The Jewish population: The age of the Ghetto
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The Transatlantic Economy, Trade Wars, and Colonial Rebellion: Periods of European
Overseas Empires; Mercantile Empires; The Spanish Colonial System; Black African Slavery;
the Plantation System, and the Atlantic Economy; Middle 18th century Wars; The American
Revolution and Europe
Unit 3
 The Age of Enlightenment: Formative Influences on the Enlightenment; The Philosophes; The
Encyclopedia; the Enlightenment and Religion; The Enlightenment and Society; Political
Thought of the Philosophes; Women in the Thought and Practice of the Enlightenment;
Enlightened Absolutism
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The French Revolution: The Crisis of the French Monarchy; The Revolution of 1789; The
Reconstruction of France; The End of the Monarchy: A Second Revolution; Europe at War with
the Revolution; The Reign of Terror; The Thermidorian Reaction
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The Age of Napoleon and the Triumph of Romanticism: The Rise of Napolean Bonaparte;
The Consulate in France; Napolean’s Empire; The Congress of Vienna and the European
Settlement; The Romantic Movement; Romantic Questioning of the Supremacy of Reason;
Romantic Literature; Romantic Art; Religion in the Romantic Period; Romantic Views of
Nationalism and History
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The Conservative Order and the Challenges of Reform (1815-1832): The Challenges of
Nationalism and Liberalism; Conservative Governments: The Domestic Political Order; The
Conservative International Order; The Wars of Independence in Latin America
*End of First Semester
Unit 4
 Economic Advance and Social Unrest: Toward an Industrial Society; The Labor Force; Family
Structures and the Industrial Revolution; Women in the Early Industrial Revolution; Problems of
Crime and Order; Classical Economics; Early Socialism
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The Age of Nation-States: The Crimean War (1853-1856); Reforms in Ottoman Empire; Italian
Unification; German Unification; France: From Liberal Empire to Third Republic; The Habsburg
Empire; Russia: Emancipation and Revolutionary Strings; Great Britain: Toward Democracy
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The Building of European Supremacy: Society and Politics to WWI: Population Trends and
Migration; The Second Industrial Revolution; The Middle Classes in Ascendancy; Late 19th
century Urban Life; Varieties of late 19th century Women’s Experiences; Jewish Emancipation;
Labor, Socialism and Politics of WWI
The Birth of Modern European Thought: The New Reading Republic; Science at Midcentury;
Christianity and the Church under Siege; Toward a 20th Century frame of Mind; Women and
Modern Thought
Unit 5
 Imperialism, Alliances, War: Expansion of European Power and the New Imperialism;
Emergence of the German Empire and Alliance Systems (1873-1890); WWI; The Russian
Revolution; The End of WWI; The Settlement at Pairs
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Political Experiments of the 1920s: Political and Economic factors after the Paris Settlement;
The Soviet Experiment begins; The Fascists Experiment in Italy; Joyless Victors; Trials of the
Successes of Eastern Europe; The Weimar Republic in Germany
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Europe and the Great Depression of the 1930s: Toward the Great Depression; Confronting the
Great Depression in Democracies; Germany: The Nazi Seizure of Power; Italy Fascists
Economics; The Soviet Union: Central Economic Planning; Collectivization and Party Purges;
Unit 6
 World War II: Again the Road to War (1933-1939); Racism and the Holocaust; The Domestic
Fronts; Preparations for Peace
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The Cold War Era and the Emergence of the New Europe: The Emergence of the Cold War;
The Khrushchev Era in the Soviet Union; Later Cold War Confrontations; The Brezhnev Era in
the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe; Decolonization: The European Retreat from Europe; The
Turmoil From French Decolonization; The Collapse of European Communism; The Collapse of
Yugoslavia and Civil War; The Rise of Radical Political Islamism; A Transformed West
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The West at the Dawn of the 21st century: The 20th century movement of people; Toward a
Welfare State; New patterns in the Work and Expectations of Women; Transformations of
Knowledge and Culture; Art Since World War II; The Christian Heritage; Late 20th century
technology: the arrival of the computer; The Challenges of European Unification
*End of Semester 2
Assigned Reading and Discussion Topic Schedule
(Modified Block Schedule: 1 hour and 30 class periods)
1st Semester
Week 1
1st Class (20 minute class period) Brief introduction. Overview of the course and expectations
Homework: Finish Summer Reading Assignment (Norman Davies Europe: A History); Read Edwin
Fenton’s article “What is History” (8/21); Read Chapter 9: The Black Death-Hundred Years War (pp 290302)