June 14, 2015
Dear Student,
Welcome to AP European History! While AP Euro tends to be a very challenging AP
history course, it is incredibly enriching. Whether you pursue science, math,
business, or humanities-based study in college, the information you learn from this
course will significantly enhance your understanding of all fields. Our studies this
year will range from discussions of religious conflicts, power struggles, and the
strengths and weaknesses of different political systems (such as absolute and
constitutional monarchies, democracy and dictatorships), to the exploration of
revolutionary ideas in the realms of art, economics, science, and politics by men like
Leonardo da Vinci, Adam Smith, Copernicus, Marx, Freud, and Nietzsche. In all
cases, the social consequences of these ideas, both good and bad, will be examined.
In order to get the most out of this course and to prepare adequately for the exam, we
will rely on a fair amount of reading that goes beyond textbook accounts. If you are
eager to get a head start on outside reading that we might cover in class, or if you
simply want to read books that will improve your understanding of the material, I
have included several interesting, representative books down below. The boldfaced
headings indicate the historic time period to which they relate. BE SURE TO
HIGHLIGHT AS YOU READ IN CASE WE REFER TO THESE BOOKS LATER
IN THE YEAR.
*Machiavelli, The Prince
The Renaissance
*Sir Thomas More, Utopia The Renaissance
Voltaire, Candide
The Enlightenment
Charles Dickens, Hard Times or A Tale of Two Cities
The Industrial Revolution/
The French Revolution
Marx and Engles, Communist Manifesto
The “Socialist” Revolution
George Orwell, Animal Farm
Illustration of Economic Theories
Barbara Tuckman, Guns of August
World War I
Other Books to Consider:
Ross King, Brunelleschi’s Dome
J.J. Scarisbrick, Henry VIII
Vincent Cronin, Napoleon
Maurice Ashley, Louis XIV
Robert Massie, Peter the Great
Allen, Bullock, Hitler and Stalin
While many of the readings that I mentioned are purely optional, you are required to
complete ONE of the following readings/assignments: Machiavelli’s The Prince,
Sir Thomas More’s Utopia, William Manchester’s A World Lit Only By Fire:
The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance or a European Current Events Collage.
[While The Prince and Utopia are significantly shorter works, A World Lit Only By
Fire is an “easier read” in terms of its writing style and its “juicy” details about
European leaders that you most likely have never heard of before. Because The
Prince and Utopia often make several time- specific references that you will likely not
know, it is important to keep in mind that you are sifting through these works in
search of new insights about the past that you had previously not known. You won’t
be experts on the works but you will take something away from them.] This
assignment will be due the second week of class.
If you plan to read Machiavelli’s infamous book, you will need to answer the
following questions and write at least a 250 word response to question #7. All
questions will be turned in that second week of class. No sources outside of the
textbook should be used for this assignment. All responses should be supported by
specific references to the book and their corresponding page numbers when
necessary.
1. Why did Machiavelli write The Prince?
2. Describe the role of armies according to Machiavelli.
3. Why does Machiavelli say that it is better for a prince “to be both loved an
feared?” Is it possible for a prince to be both? Explain.
4. In Chapter 20, what three bits of advice does Machiavelli give the prince?
5. According to Machiavelli in Chapter 21, what must a prince do to be
esteemed?
6. List and describe ten characteristics of a Machiavellian ruler.
7. As you perceive it, describe what a state might be like under a
Machiavellian ruler.
If you prefer to read Sir Thomas More’ Utopia, you will need to answer the
following questions and write at least a 250 word response to question #6. While both
books (Book I and Book II) need to be read, Book II is a considerably more
meaningful read. You might have to skim through Book I to get through it. No
sources outside of the textbook should be used for this assignment. All responses
should be supported by specific references to the book and their corresponding page
numbers when necessary.
1. Describe the geography of Utopia. What role does geography play in the way
Utopian society developed?
2. Describe the economy of Utopia.
3. Define the following terms by consulting a dictionary: capitalism, socialism,
communism. Based upon the definitions of these terms, what elements of
each are present in Utopia?
4. Choose any five of the following topics and describe their role in Utopia:
cities, community life, economy, education, artisans, agriculture, philosophy,
religion, law, foreign relations, or slavery.
5. What does Utopia tell us about More’s view of humans and humanity?
6. Would it be possible to establish a community like Utopia? Why or why
not?
If you prefer to read William Manchester’s A World Lit by Only Fire: The
Medieval Mind and the Renaissance, you should know that there are some parts of
his book that are explicit, particularly when discussing the corruption of the Catholic
Church. The book is, however, a very interesting and thorough discussion of the shift
in European history from the Middle Ages to that of the Renaissance; we will be
discussing this topic the first two to three weeks of school.
Manchester ends his book with the following quote; this quote clearly conveys the
main argument he seeks to prove from the very beginning: “Worshipers want to
believe, and most of the time they persuade themselves that they do. But suppressing
doubt is hard. Secular society makes it harder. Hardest of all is the sense of loss, the
knowledge of serenity of medieval faith, and the certitude of everlasting glory, are
forever gone.” (p. 296) Consider this quote as you answer all six of the following
questions in multi-paragraph responses. These responses should make specific
references to the text readings and include page numbers when necessary.
1. Based on Manchester’s discussion, how would you describe the “Medieval
Mind” and the world in which this mindset existed? What factors shaped the
way that medieval people thought about themselves and the world around
them?
2. Define the Great Schism, transubstantiation, the Holy Roman Empire, and
Humanism according to Manchester’s references.
3. Why did the “Medieval Mindset” begin to change? Be sure to address FOUR
of the following people in your answer: Sir Thomas More, Erasmus, Luther,
Galileo, and Calvin.
4. What new understanding or information did your take away from this reading.
You can reference the material without the use of quotes as long as you place
page numbers.
5. Does Magellan rely more on a Medieval Mindset or a Renaissance mindset?
Explain your answer.
6. Why did Manchester choose the title he did for his book? Now that you’ve
finished the book, what do you think it means?
All of these works are great reads; I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
If you prefer to read newspaper and magazine articles about current events in Europe,
you will need to complete the following.
 Consistently read a wide range of newspaper and/or magazine sources both
within America (eg. Wall Street Journal, New York Times) and beyond America
(eg. The International Herald Tribune) and watch the news over the course of
the summer (not just one week before the assignment is due) in an effort to get a
better feel for the issues facing modern day Europe. Try to make your exposure to
this information as broad as possible (find articles addressing European sports,
European arts and entertainment/celebrity events, European politics, and European
involvement in world affairs).
 What have you learned about modern Europe as a result of your readings? What does
the world “Europe” or “European” mean to you? Would you say that Europe has an
identity that is unique in the world? If so, how so? Would you want to live in Europe
based on your understanding of its modern lifestyle and events? These are questions
you could consider as you share what you learned from your various newspaper
and magazine explorations of modern Europe in a 2-3 page written response. No
in text citation is needed unless you make a direct quote.
 Include a works cited page that lists the different sources you read in MLA
format. Please refer to the formatting style below.
Suggested Citation Formats
Magazines
Author’s last name, first name. “Title of the article.” Magazine Day Month
Year: pages.
Jones, Bob. “Living with Two Common Names.” Time 15 June 2007: 50-55.
Newspapers
Author’s last name, first name. “Title of the article.” Newspaper Day Month
Year: Section in the newspaper.
Hilton, Paris. “From Simple Life to Jail Life.” Los Angeles Times 15 June 2007: A3.
*Please refer to the OWL Purdue MLA website for further details or for citation formats..
 Represent the written understanding of “Modern Europe” that you completed
above in the form of a collage (carefully arranged quotes and or
images/symbols) whose meaning and arrangement you would then explain to the
class.
Grading will be based on the depth of your insight as well a clear, meaningful
representation of modern day examples that illustrate your informed perception of
European identity. The written response, bibliography page, and collage will be graded.
Even if you chose a book over this last option, I would like all students to come
to class that first day with a general understanding of what modern Europe is
like today. Feel free to scan the newspapers or watch the news for any mention of
contemporary Europe. Keep an eye out not just for political events, but also any
mention of European culture, economics, geography, etc. An understanding of the
European Union and the “Euro” would also be helpful. Happy reading and I look
forward to our first day of class!
Enjoy your summer,
Susan Wu
Upper School Humanities Teacher