AP European History Flashcards: 20th- and 21st-Century Culture, Arts, and Demographic Trends
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 14 cards to help you master important concepts.
What were three defining characteristics of 20th-century arts?
The arts in the 20th century were defined by experimentation, a focus on self-expression, and subjectivity.
Card 1 of 14
All Flashcards (14)
What were three defining characteristics of 20th-century arts?
The arts in the 20th century were defined by experimentation, a focus on self-expression, and subjectivity.
What was a primary goal of the various social and political movements of the late 20th century?
Movements such as the women's movements and gay and lesbian movements worked for the expansion of civil rights for their respective groups.
Define Existentialism in the context of post-WWII Europe.
Existentialism was a philosophical movement, given impetus by the wars, that emphasized individual freedom and responsibility in a seemingly meaningless world.
Which nation's culture became increasingly influential in Europe during the 20th century?
The United States exerted an increasing influence on both elite and popular culture in Europe throughout the 20th century.
What major events in the early 20th century undermined European confidence in science and human reason?
The devastating effects of the world wars and the subsequent economic depression undermined confidence in the ideals of progress and reason.
What is Postmodernism?
Postmodernism is a cultural and intellectual movement that emerged in the post-1945 period, characterized by skepticism toward the grand narratives of reason and progress.
What factor, aside from economic recovery, often promoted the post-WWII baby boom?
The baby boom was often promoted by government policies designed to encourage population growth after the war.
What was the 'baby boom'?
The baby boom was a period following World War II characterized by a dramatic increase in the birth rate, coinciding with economic recovery.
What is the connection between industrial efficiency and the rise of a consumer culture?
Increased industrial efficiency and mass production raised disposable income for many, directly fueling the growth of a culture centered on consumption.
What is consumer culture?
A culture where social status and values are centered on the consumption of goods and services, which grew as disposable income increased after WWII.
How did the intellectual climate change from the period before WWI to the period after WWII?
The post-WWII period saw a shift away from confidence in reason toward philosophies like existentialism and postmodernism due to the trauma of war and depression.
Name two examples of social movements that worked for expanded civil rights in the post-WWII era.
The women's movements and the gay and lesbian movements were prominent examples of groups that worked to achieve expanded civil rights.
What economic and technological factors led to the rise of consumer culture?
Mass production, new food technologies, and industrial efficiency increased disposable income, which in turn created a widespread consumer culture.
Provide examples of the 'greater domestic comforts' that became more available in the post-WWII consumer culture.
Domestic comforts such as electricity and indoor plumbing became more widely available to the general population.