#AP European History: State Building & Military Revolution Study Guide 🚀

Hey there, future AP Euro historian! Let's get you prepped and confident for the big exam. This guide is designed to hit all the key points, make connections, and give you the edge you need. Let's dive in!

#1. The Rise of the State System After Westphalia

#Balance of Power ⚖️

Post-1648 Shift: The Treaty of Westphalia (1648) marked a major turning point.

Key Concept

Religion took a backseat to the concept of the balance of power

in international relations. * **What is it?** Nations aimed to prevent any single state from becoming too dominant. Think of it like a seesaw – if one side gets too heavy, the others have to add weight to balance it out. * **Why it matters:** This system encouraged alliances and counter-alliances, leading to a new era of diplomacy and warfare.

#France Under Louis XIV 👑

The Sun King: Louis XIV of France was the power player. He wanted to expand France's borders, which freaked out everyone else.
Rivalry with Spain: Louis wanted to grab Spanish Habsburg territories, leading to major conflicts.
Consequences: The rise of France under Louis XIV led to a series of wars aimed at checking his power.

#Key Conflicts ⚔️

Dutch War (1672-1678): Louis invaded the Spanish Netherlands but was pushed back by England and Sweden. Spain ceded Flanders and Franche-Comte to France.
Nine Years' War (1688-1697): The Grand Alliance (England, Spain, Holy Roman Empire) formed to stop Louis. France lost Lorraine but kept Alsace. William of Orange became King of England.
War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714):

Key Concept

This was the big one!

Charles II of Spain died without an heir, and Louis XIV's grandson was in line for the throne. Everyone feared a Franco-Spanish mega-state. * **Treaty of Utrecht (1713):** Ended the War of Spanish Succession. Philip V became King of Spain, but the French and Spanish thrones could never unite. Austria gained the Spanish Netherlands (Belgium) and other territories. Prussia became a kingdom.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice:

Which of the following best describes the primary goal of the balance of power system in 18th-century Europe? (A) To establish a unified European empire (B) To maintain peace through collective security (C) To prevent any one state from becoming too dominant (D) To promote religious uniformity across Europe
The Treaty of Utrecht (1713) had which of the following consequences? (A) It united the Spanish and French thrones under a single monarch. (B) It established a lasting peace in Europe based on religious tolerance. (C) It confirmed Philip V as King of Spain, but prohibited the union of the Spanish and French crowns. (D) It led to the immediate decline of the Austrian Habsburg Empire.

Free Response Question:

Analyze the impact of the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) on the development of the European state system. In your response, consider the political, religious, and diplomatic changes that occurred in the aftermath of the treaty. (7 points)

Point 1: Correctly identifies the Treaty of Westphalia as a turning point in European history.
Point 2: Explains that the treaty established the principle of state sovereignty.
Point 3: Discusses the decline of religious conflict as a primary driver of war.
Point 4: Explains the rise of the balance of power system.
Point 5: Provides an example of a political change (e.g., the decline of the Holy Roman Empire).
Point 6: Provides an example of a diplomatic change (e.g., the rise of professional diplomacy).
Point 7: Demonstrates a clear understanding of the long-term implications of the treaty.

#2. The Decline of Empires

#Holy Roman Empire 📉

Not Holy, Roman, or an Empire:

Quick Fact

Remember this classic dig!

It was a mess of 300+ states after the Thirty Years' War. * **Religious Division:** The Protestant Reformation and the Peace of Augsburg left it religiously divided. * **Weak Central Authority:** The emperor had no real power. Austria (Habsburgs) and Prussia (Hohenzollerns) emerged as the leading German states.

#Poland 🇵🇱

Elected Kings: The king was chosen by the nobles, who limited his power.
Unanimous Decisions: All political decisions required every noble to agree, meaning nothing got done. 🐌
Partitioned: Poland was carved up by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, disappearing by 1795. ### Ottoman Empire 🇹🇷
End of Expansion:

Key Concept

The Battle of Vienna (1683) stopped the Ottomans' westward push.

* **"Sick Man of Europe":** Internal problems and failed modernization attempts weakened the empire. * **Long Decline:** The empire hung on until WWI but was increasingly unstable.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice:

Which of the following factors contributed most to the decline of the Holy Roman Empire in the 17th and 18th centuries? (A) The rise of a strong centralized government (B) The religious unity imposed by the Habsburg emperors (C) The political fragmentation caused by the Treaty of Westphalia (D) The economic prosperity brought by overseas colonies
Which of the following best describes the political system of Poland in the 18th century? (A) A strong, centralized monarchy with absolute power (B) A parliamentary system with a powerful elected assembly (C) A weak monarchy limited by the power of the nobility (D) A theocracy ruled by religious leaders

Short Answer Question:

Briefly explain ONE political and ONE economic factor that contributed to the decline of the Ottoman Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries. (3 points)

Point 1: Correctly identifies ONE political factor (e.g., internal corruption, weak central government).
Point 2: Correctly explains the identified political factor.
Point 3: Correctly identifies and explains ONE economic factor (e.g., trade imbalances, failure to industrialize).

#3. The Military Revolution

#New Warfare ⚔️

Tech Advances:

Quick Fact

Infantry, firearms, mobile cannons, and better fortifications changed everything.

* **More Taxes:** These new armies were expensive, requiring heavier taxes and bigger bureaucracies. * **Consolidated States:** Only states that could afford a modern military became powerful.

#Sweden: Gustavus Adolphus 🇸🇪

Military Genius: Gustavus Adolphus transformed the Swedish army into a modern fighting force.
Standing Army: He created a professional, permanent army.
New Tactics: He introduced mobile artillery and new battle strategies.
Impact: Sweden became a major military power in the 17th century.

#Spain: The Habsburgs 🇪🇸

Powerful Navy: Spain built a massive navy to control the seas and its empire.
Tercio Infantry: They developed a new type of infantry with pikemen, musketeers, and arquebusiers.
Downside: Constant warfare drained Spain's resources, leading to its decline.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice:

Which of the following best describes the military revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries? (A) A shift from gunpowder warfare to traditional hand-to-hand combat (B) A transition from small, local militias to large, professional armies (C) A decline in the use of firearms in favor of more traditional weapons (D) A decrease in the cost and complexity of warfare
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden is best known for which of the following? (A) His role in the decline of the Spanish Empire (B) His contributions to the development of naval power (C) His innovations in military tactics and the creation of a professional army (D) His efforts to establish religious tolerance in Europe

Free Response Question:

Analyze the ways in which military developments in the period 1600-1750 affected the balance of power in Europe. (7 points)

Point 1: Identifies the concept of the military revolution and its key components.
Point 2: Explains how new military technologies (e.g., firearms, artillery) changed warfare.
Point 3: Discusses the rise of professional standing armies and their impact on state finances.
Point 4: Demonstrates an understanding of how military changes favored states that could afford them.
Point 5: Provides an example of a state that benefited from military advancements (e.g., Sweden, Prussia).
Point 6: Provides an example of a state that declined due to military challenges (e.g., Spain, Poland).
Point 7: Explains the overall shift in the balance of power due to military developments.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

#High-Priority Topics

Balance of Power: Understand how it shaped alliances and conflicts.
Louis XIV: Know his goals, wars, and impact on France and Europe.
Treaty of Westphalia & Utrecht: Know the significance of these treaties.
Decline of Empires: Understand the factors behind the decline of the Holy Roman Empire, Poland, and the Ottomans.
Military Revolution: Know the key changes in warfare and their consequences.

#

Exam Tip

Question Types

Multiple Choice: Expect questions on specific events, treaties, and key figures. Pay attention to cause-and-effect.
Short Answer: Be concise and direct. Focus on providing specific examples and explanations.
Free Response: Plan your essays carefully. Make sure you address all parts of the prompt and use specific historical evidence.

#

Exam Tip

Last-Minute Tips

Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. Move on and come back if needed.
Common Pitfalls: Don't confuse similar events or figures. Read questions carefully.
Strategies: Use your knowledge of key concepts to analyze and interpret historical events.
Stay Calm: You've got this! Take deep breaths and trust your preparation. 💪

Memory Aid

Remember the key players: