AP European History Summer Assignment 2016-17
Wando High School
Mr. Tyler
Readings and Map Assignment
Summer Reading: The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli
The Prince, written by Niccolo Machiavelli, is one of the most influential works on political power in
Western Civilization. Machiavelli’s early career as a diplomat (officially the Secretary of the Second
Chancery) for the powerful Republic of Florence from 1498-1512 during the politically volatile era of the
Italian Renaissance allowed him to examine firsthand the multitudes of leadership styles and qualities in
his dealings with the Sforzas in Milan, the Borgias in Rome, the Trastámaras of Aragon (Spain), and the
Valois in France. In 1513, the republican government in Florence was overthrown by the powerful
Medici family, namely Lorenzo (II) de Medici. After taking princely control of Florence, Lorenzo
promptly fired Machiavelli, who after a brief imprisonment (and brutal torture), retired to his estate
where he devoted the rest of his life to writing. Although his writings vary from satiric plays (The
Mandrake) to poetry, his most lasting contribution to history would be his political essays and tracts,
especially The Prince.
Directions: The Prince is not exactly an obscure work, so it should be relatively easy to find. My advice
would be to go to any of your local bookstores (or online options like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.) and
pick up a copy. With the majority of the paperback copies of the work found, The Prince is generally
joined by several essays by Machiavelli—these will not be required for the assignment. All of the public
libraries in Charleston County should have numerous copies of The Prince—however, I would urge you
to obtain your own copy in case there is a lengthy wait. As a last resort, there is a full text copy online at
http://www.constitution.org/mac/prince00.htm.
Answer the following questions in as much detail as possible (and obviously, complete sentences) on
looseleaf paper. Responses should be well organized and your analysis should use evidence from the
book. Responses must be written in black or blue ink—NO TYPED RESPONSES WILL BE ACCEPTED (any
IEP/504 accommodations will be an exception). This will be due on the first day of school—any late
assignments will be docked 25 points per day. I will check my email generally every day throughout the
summer, so if you have any questions regarding the assignment (or any questions about this year),
please email me at [email protected].
Questions:
1. Describe the political situation that prompted Machiavelli to write The Prince.
2. What were the five “errors” committed by Louis XII of France described by Machiavelli in Chapters
3 and 4? How did the ancient Romans and Alexander the Great avoid some of these mistakes?
3. Explain why Machiavelli, in Chapter 5, insists so much on destruction.
4. In chapters 6 and 7 which “vices” (traditionally “bad” character traits) are considered useful and
advisable? Why does Machiavelli recommend them?
5. Describe Francisco Sforza and Cesare Borgia, as they are discussed in Chapter 7. Why does
Machiavelli dedicate almost the entirety of the chapter to Cesare Borgia?
6. Describe the role of armies according to Machiavelli in Chapters 12-14. Pay specific attention to
why they must be strong, different types of troops and the value of them, and military duty of the
prince.
7. What does Machiavelli say in regards to a prince being either feared or loved? Which, in
Machiavelli’s opinion, is more important? Is it possible for a ruler to be both? Explain.
8. In regards to the concept of a ruler being feared and loved, explain Machiavelli’s discussion of the
Carthaginian General Hannibal of the Roman General Scipio Africanus.
9. What is the significance of the Myth of Chiron in Chapter 18? What are the qualities symbolized by
the fox and the lion?
10. Discuss Machiavelli’s views on religion.
Introductory Material
AP European History is a class that encompasses 600 years of history, beginning largely with the early
Renaissance around 1400 AD. Even though the material is not covered by the AP Exam in May 2017, we
generally start with a unit that covers the beginning of recorded history through 1400 AD—an intro to
the class. Since we are so pressed for time throughout the year, please email me at
[email protected] over the summer for the 6-7 pages of the initial lectures on the intro
through 1000 AD. Utilizing the notes and any outside information you see applicable, answer the
following questions in detail.
1. Discuss the impact of the Aryan/Indo-European Migration on the development of Europe. What
did they bring?
2. Describe the development of historiography (the recording of history) during the ancient Greek
era from Homer to Thucydides.
3. Define two things that the ancient Greeks “gave” to Western Civilization in its development.
4. Define two things that the ancient Romans “gave” to Western Civilization in its development.
5. How did the rise of Christianity impact the mentality of the Western world? How could
Christianity be seen as a major cause of the fall of the Roman Empire?
6. Identify: St. Augustine’s City of God
7. Why is the period after the fall of Rome through roughly 1000 AD known as the Dark Ages?
8. How was the Catholic Church really the only source of light in this “Dark” world?
9. From what two major sources did the initial Papacy (Popes) claim that they had power over the
Christian Church?
10. Name were the first three Carolingian rulers in Western Europe and briefly describe their
contributions to history.
Map Assignment
You are expected to have a general knowledge of European Geography before we begin our discussion
of Modern European History. We will have a test on countries and capitals on Tuesday, August 16
(second day of school) and a test on the physical map of Europe on Wednesday, August 17. There are
plenty of websites you can find not only maps of Europe, but blank maps in which you may practice.
Two that I use frequently are http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/testmaps/europe.gif and
http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/europe.html. A good physical map of Europe is located at
http://www.ezilon.com/maps/europe-physical-maps.html. Two websites that have been very useful
for students in the past in studying for the map tests are:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/European_Geography.htm
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/euroquiz.html
Please know the following countries:
Iceland
Russia
Albania
Malta
Ireland
Estonia
Serbia
Kosovo
United Kingdom
Latvia
Montenegro
Portugal
Lithuania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Spain
Belarus
Croatia
Andorra
Ukraine
Slovenia
France
Moldova
Poland
Monaco
Azerbaijan
Slovakia
Luxembourg
Georgia
Czech Republic
Belgium
Armenia
Hungary
The Netherlands
Cyprus
Austria
Germany
Turkey
Liechtenstein
Denmark
Greece
Switzerland
Norway
Bulgaria
Italy
Sweden
Romania
Vatican City
Finland
Macedonia (FYROM) San Marino
The following capitals:
Reykjavik
Moscow
Tirana
Valetta
Dublin
Tallinn
Belgrade
Pristina
London
Riga
Podgorica
Lisbon
Vilnius
Sarajevo
Madrid
Minsk
Zagreb
Andorra la Vella
Kiev
Ljubljana
Paris
Chisinau
Warsaw
Monaco
Baku
Bratislava
Luxembourg
Tbilisi
Prague
Brussels
Yerevan
Budapest
Amsterdam
Nicosia
Vienna
Berlin
Ankara
Vaduz
Copenhagen
Athens
Bern
Oslo
Sofia
Rome
Stockholm
Bucharest
Vatican City
Helsinki
Skopje
San Marino
For the Physical Map, please know the following:
Rivers:
Bodies of Water:
Volga
Atlantic Ocean
Don
Bay of Biscay
Dnieper
North Sea
Danube
Norwegian Sea
Vistula
Baltic Sea
Oder
Gulf of Finland
Elbe
English Channel
Rhine
Strait of Gibraltar
Seine
Mediterranean Sea
Loire
Tyrrhenian Sea
Rhone
Adriatic Sea
Po
Ionian Sea
Tagus
Aegean Sea
Thames
Dardanelles
Strait of Bosporus
Black Sea
Øresund Sound
Mountain Ranges:
Pyrenees
Alps
Apennines
Dinaric Alps
Balkans
Carpathians
Urals
Caucasus
Peninsulas:
Iberian
Balkan
Jutland
Italian
Scandinavian
Crimean
Islands:
Corsica
Sardinia
Sicily
Crete
HAVE A GOOD SUMMER AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TEACHING YOU ALL THIS YEAR!