AP® European History

As part of our AP® European History crash course, let’s compartmentalize and explain many of the important –isms for the AP® European History exam. The –isms that I refer to are basically nominalized versions of the ideals behind certain defining terms of movements in art, history, politics, and religion. These –isms, like Modernism, Capitalism, or Despotism for example, all represent the entire system of thought and the practices inherent in their respective movements.

AP® European History is full of significant and memorable wars that shaped the direction of Europe and, by extension, the world. One of these wars is the Thirty Years War. Perhaps your course did not emphasize this war, or maybe you just don’t remember it!

Even though we live in a world where kings and queens typically hold more symbolic power than actual political authority, we still seem to be a little obsessed with the monarchical system. Whether it’s the next royal wedding in Great Britain or Lewis Carroll’s character The Queen of Hearts, screaming “off with her head!,” we still keep our eyes fixed on the happenings of those wearing crowns.

Calvinism was one of the most groundbreaking movements of the reformation, and is a crucial part of European History. This long-standing religious movement was founded by the theologian and preacher John Calvin. His beliefs, associated with the denomination of Calvinism, are summed up by the acronym TULIP, or sometimes seen just Tulip. As an AP® Euro student, you need to be prepared to answer either a free response or multiple-choice question about the Calvinistic Tulip, and this guide will help you do so.