AP World History: Key Events & Turning Points

What was the primary impact of the Mongol Empire on the Silk Road trade routes?

The Mongols established the Pax Mongolica, which provided security and stability, leading to a significant increase in trade and cultural exchange across Eurasia.

How did the Black Death (1347-1351) affect the socio-economic structure of Western Europe?

The massive population loss led to a labor shortage, which increased the bargaining power of peasants and contributed to the decline of manorialism and serfdom.

What were the three primary motivations for European maritime exploration between 1450 and 1750?

The motivations are often summarized as 'God, Gold, and Glory,' representing religious proselytization, the search for wealth/spices, and national prestige.

Which New World crop had the most significant impact on population growth in Europe and China during the Columbian Exchange?

The potato (and maize) provided a high-calorie food source that could grow in diverse climates, leading to rapid population increases.

What was the central theological challenge posed by Martin Luther in his 95 Theses (1517)?

Luther challenged the Catholic Church's sale of indulgences and argued that salvation was achieved through faith alone (sola fide) rather than through good works.

What was the 'Middle Passage' in the context of the Atlantic Slave Trade?

The Middle Passage was the brutal forced journey of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas, characterized by high mortality rates.

How did Nicolaus Copernicus's 'On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres' change the scientific worldview?

It proposed a heliocentric model, placing the Sun at the center of the universe, which challenged the long-held geocentric (Earth-centered) view.

What is John Locke's concept of 'natural rights' as described in his Enlightenment philosophy?

Locke argued that all individuals are born with inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, which governments are obligated to protect.

Why did the Industrial Revolution begin in Great Britain during the mid-18th century?

Britain possessed abundant coal and iron deposits, a stable government, capital for investment, and a large labor force from the Enclosure Movement.

What was the significance of the 'Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen' (1789)?

It established the principle of legal equality, freedom of speech, and popular sovereignty, signaling the end of absolute monarchy in France.