AP European History Flashcards: Contextualizing Renaissance and Discovery
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
What were two key factors that caused many Europeans to change their view of the world during this period?
The rediscovery of works from ancient Greece and Rome and the increased observation of the natural world changed many Europeans' worldview.
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What were two key factors that caused many Europeans to change their view of the world during this period?
The rediscovery of works from ancient Greece and Rome and the increased observation of the natural world changed many Europeans' worldview.
A 15th-century scholar translates a lost work of Plato. This action is an example of what key Renaissance trend?
This is an example of the rediscovery of works from ancient Greece and Rome that changed how Europeans viewed their world.
What was the primary cause of political centralization in this period?
The struggle for sovereignty, both within states and among different states, drove the process of political centralization.
What characterized the European Age of Discovery in relation to other parts of the world?
Europeans explored and settled overseas territories, which led to encounters and interactions with indigenous populations.
In what context did the Renaissance and Age of Discovery develop?
They developed in a context where classical knowledge was being rediscovered, new territories were being explored, capitalism was emerging, and states were centralizing power.
Did the rise of capitalism completely replace older economic models?
No, the rise of capitalism occurred notwithstanding the continued existence of medieval social and economic structures.
What was the result of the struggle for sovereignty among European states?
This struggle resulted in varying degrees of political centralization, meaning some states became more unified while others remained fragmented.
A Portuguese expedition establishes a trading post in West Africa. This event is part of what larger historical process?
This is part of the process where Europeans explored and settled overseas territories, encountering and interacting with indigenous populations.
How did interactions with indigenous populations come about during this era?
These encounters and interactions were a direct result of Europeans exploring and settling in overseas territories.
A French king reduces the power of feudal lords to strengthen his own authority. This is an example of what political trend?
This action exemplifies the struggle for sovereignty within a state that resulted in varying degrees of political centralization.
What new economic system began to shape European society during this era?
European society and the experiences of everyday life were increasingly shaped by commercial and agricultural capitalism.