Hello AP Euro 2015-16 Students!
Attached is the summer assignment. Please take it home and go over it with your parents. Once you have discussed it
with your parents, please RETURN THIS COVER SHEET to Ms. Lucas before the end of school (room 261) 
I have read the directions for the AP Euro summer assignment with my parent/guardian and understand the parts. If I
have any questions, I will contact Ms. Lucas on Schoology over the summer.
Student Name:
Student Signature:
Parent/Guardian Name:
Parent/Guardian Signature:
Date:
AP Euro Summer Assignment, 2015-16 School Year
North Valleys High School
Teacher: Ms. Lucas
Welcome to the challenge that is AP Euro! Although this is likely to be the hardest class you have encountered, if you
tackle it with veracity and determination, you will learn more than you ever have :) As an AP student, you are expected
to maintain a high level of commitment, motivation, and integrity. Thus the purpose of this summer assignment is for
you to demonstrate that commitment as well as for you to acquire some background knowledge on the history of the
world before the year 1450. Your summer assignment will consist of two parts described below.
All assignments should be done by the first day of class. Although Washoe County School District no longer allows the
summer assignment to be worth points, there will be a test on the map portion on the first day of class, and there will be
a test on the book within a week of the beginning of school. However, you want to be finished with the book by the first
day of class because we will be discussing it!  Therefore, if you plan to start off the semester in a positive direction,
the summer assignment is essential
The summer assignment has two parts:
1) European Map practice (directions below)
2) Read the book "A World Lit only by Fire" by William Manchester and answer the questions (directions below). The
book can be found online for various prices through Amazon.com (there are quite a few cheap used ones!), or you can
probably find it at Barnes and Noble. If cost is an issue, a PDF version of the book can be found at the following link
http://www.ahshistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/A-WORLD-LIT-ONLY-BY-FIRE.pdf
Important: Technology Set Up (you should have already done this as part of the entrance
requirement!)
Set up a student account on Schoology.com. It is free, all you need is an email address.
-Use the following code to join the group for AP Euro Summer 2015: TJR7H-SR47J
-As soon as school starts, everyone will be invited to join a Schoology group that is specific to their class period.
Schoology will be an essential tool in that not only is it an EXTREMELY effective way of communicating with Ms. Lucas
and your peers, but we will also be using it throughout the year for assignments. If you have a cell phone, you can set
your Schoology account to send you a text message alert when something has been posted to the website. This is
extremely helpful and should be taken advantage of.
-If you have any questions over the summer, contact Ms. Lucas through Schoology! She does not check her school
email every day over the summer and if you have an urgent question, it may not get answered quickly.
Part 1: European Physical and Political Map-- European geography is critical to understanding the events,
issues, and human interactions that have occurred. You should be familiar with the geography of modern Europe.
Therefore you will label two maps: one political (countries and cities) and one with physical features. Coloring is not
required but might help you.
**Use the website http://www.yourchildlearns.com to quiz yourself using their map puzzle games.
Countries (political map) – LABEL WITH WORDS NOT NUMBERS
1. Iceland
15. Bosnia & Herzegovina
2. Ireland
16. Albania
3. Spain
17. Montenegro
4. Belgium
18. Turkey
5. Netherlands
19. Slovenia
6. Switzerland
20. Austria
7. Norway
21. United Kingdom
8. Finland
22. Portugal
9. Latvia
23. France
10. Russia
24. Luxemburg
11. Czech Republic
25. Germany
12. Belarus
26. Italy
13. Moldova
27. Sweden
14. Hungary
28. Estonia
29. Lithuania
30. Poland
31. Slovakia
32. Ukraine
33. Romania
34. Croatia
35. Serbia
36. Bulgaria
37. Greece
38. Macedonia
39. Kosovo
40. Denmark
Major cities (political map) – LABEL WITH WORDS NOT NUMBERS
1. Amsterdam
2. Athens
3. Berlin
4. Brussels
5. Budapest
6. Florence
7. Geneva
8. Istanbul
9. London
10. Madrid
11. Moscow
12. Munich
13. Paris
14. Prague
15. Rome
16. St. Petersburg
17. Sarajevo
18. Venice
19. Vienna
20. Warsaw
Physical Features – LABEL WITH WORDS NOT NUMBERS
1. Mediterranean Sea
2. Black Sea
3. North Sea
4. Baltic Sea
5. Caspian Sea
6. Strait of Gibraltar
7. Bosporus Strait
8. Dardanelles Strait
9. Danube River
10. Rhine River
11. Seine River
12. Vistula River
13. Volga River
14. The Alps
15. The Pyrenees
16. Ural Mountains
Part 2: book reading, “A World Lit Only by Fire,” William Manchester (See above for
suggestions on how to get the book)
The AP Euro test begins with the Renaissance. However, it is extremely difficult to understand the significance of the
change that took place during the Renaissance without knowledge of the time that preceded it--the Middle Ages. The
book "A World Lit Only by Fire" attempts to give a glimpse into the life of the Middle Ages. The historical accuracy of
parts of the novel is debated, but it is a helpful introduction into the intellectual change from the Middle Ages to the
Renaissance. Because it is viewed as biased in places, this book does a good job of reminding us that "History is not just
what happened; history is interpreted by someone who tells us what happened." On the day of the test for the book,
you will be able to use your notes for the last 10 minutes of the test. However, notes must be handwritten. Typed notes
will not be allowed for use on the day of the test.
Tip: It would be a good idea to sit down with your parents and make a schedule for when you will read which pieces of
the book. If you do this, you will be much more likely to finish on time 
As you read through the book, answer the guided questions that follow. There are also some identifications at the end—
look at these before you start. Although there are page numbers for reference, it is best to read through without
skipping pages. If you skip and just look for answers, your vision of Manchester’s thesis will be segmented and you might
miss making significant connections.
Part I: The Medieval Mind (p 3-28) (If you are using the PDF version, the page numbers unfortunately won’t match up
)
1. Answer this question before reading A World Lit Only by Fire: What do you know about the Middle Ages and
Renaissance?
2. For what reasons did Manchester support using the term “Dark Ages” to describe the historical period between 400
BCE and 1000 BCE (p 3-5)?
3. List the many dangers that European people faced during the Dark Ages (p 5-8).
4. Explain how Augustine’s ideas led to the medieval Church gaining power (p 8-10).
5. Give an example of how medieval people combined paganism with Christianity (p 10-15).
6. Was the medieval world a civilization – why or why not? What were the major political institutions (p 15-18).
7. What was the largest kingdom in Europe circa 1190 (p 17)?
8. Define rule by Divine Right, and explain whether European princes and kings always ruled by it (p 18 -20)
9. Describe the Great Schism – described by Manchester as “the greatest wound to the Vatican’s prestige” (p 19-20)
10. “The Church is the work of an Incarnate God. Like all God’s works, it is perfect. It is, therefore, incapable of reform.”
Explain why medieval people could not see the Avignon papacy as a crisis (p 20-22).
11. Give examples of the “lack of ego” during the Middle Ages (p 21-23).
12. Explain Unam Sanctum (p24).
13. What “coming storm” did Manchester hint was rapidly approaching medieval Europe (p 24)?
14. Why was knighthood dying – and why would the future belong to Absolut Monarchs (p 24)?
15. Explain how Manchester described the Renaissance spirit, and who arrived at it first (p 25-26).
16. According to Manchester, why could medieval people not imagine a different life (p 26)?
17. Name the “dragons” that lurked beyond the borders of medievalism (p 27-28).
Part II: The Shattering (p 31-219)
18. Manchester wrote, “Today Lisbon proudly acclaims him [Magellan]…’He is ours!’ – but that is chutzpah. In his
lifetime his countrymen treated him as a renegade, calling him traidor and transfuga – turncoat” (p 31). What does this
passage suggest about history versus current events?
19. Why was Magellan’s discovery of the Philippines significant – how did he provide a “linchpin” for the Renaissance (p
32-33)?
20. Give examples of how European “life became very cheap” in the late 1400s and early 1500s (p 34-36).
21. Describe the un-Christian acts of the five Popes during Magellan’s lifetime (specify who, when, and what happened)
(p 37-45).
22. Summarize Girolamo Savonarola’s story and explain his significance (p 42-44).
23. Using pages 45-68, describe social conditions in Europe circa 1500.
24. Name the Hapsburg lands in 1519 (p46).
25. Identify and explain the significance of the Fuggers (p 48-50).
**Due to the sexual nature of the material on pp. 68-86 of A World Lit Only By Fire, If you or your parents object to
this material, you can skip questions 26-28. However, keep in mind that such information is often a key piece of
understanding the culture, politics, etc. of different time periods and is not intended to offend.
26. Describe the reasons for predominant adultery during the Renaissance (p 68-71).
27. Summarize Manchester’s ideas related to the quote: “Various reasons have been advanced to explain why, as
medieval shadows receded, European morals declined” (p 71-74).
28. Explain what the story of the Borgia family shows about the Church during the early Renaissance (p 74-86).
29. Describe how the arts flourished during the Renaissance (p 86-88). Choose one specific artist and describe his/her
achievements.
30. Summarize Kopernik’s (Copernicus’s) studies and findings (p 88-91).
31. “Leonardo’s transgressions were graver than Boticelli’s or Cellini’s” (p 91). Explain why da Vinci alone fell from papal
grace.
32. List da Vinci’s discoveries (p 91-94).
33. Compare and contrast who controlled learning before and after the typographical revolution (p95-96).
34. Who were the first readers and what did they read (p 96)?
35. Compare and contrast learning before and after the establishment of universities (p 98-107).
36. Describe who the humanists were as well as their significance (p 106-107).
37. Describe the differences in European opinions about religion circa 1502 (p 110-112).
38. Explain two reasons why humanism would become “the greatest threat the Church had ever faced” (p 112-113).
39. Plato wrote “Man is the measure of all things.” Interpret the meaning of this quote for humanists (p 113).
40. According to humanists, what was, and was not, “mankind’s highest ethical objective” (p 114)?
41. Explain why St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome enraged Michelangelo and Luther (p 115).
42. Describe why the idea of change was deeply disturbing to Catholics (p 116).
43. Based on your knowledge of the Middle Ages, explain your opinion about whether “Faith had literally held Europe
together then, giving hope to men who had been without it” (p 117)
44. Describe Erasmus, his religious views and how and why he attacked the Church (p 117-122).
45. According to Manchester, which people led the “coming religious revolution” (p 121)?
46. Identify the two main arguments of Erasmus’s In Praise of Folly (p122-123).
47. How and why did Erasmus criticize Pope Julius II (p 123-127)?
48. List the forces that Manchester argued “fractured the unity of Christendom” (p127-128).
49. “The public perception of the priesthood was in fact appalling” (p 129). Give evidence to support this claim (p 128131).
50. What event sparked the ruin of the Church (p 131)?
51. Explain how and why 16th century people across Europe despised Church taxation (p 131-132).
52. Describe Tetzel’s methods for selling indulgences (p 134-136).
53. Explain how parts of Luther’s youth led to him becoming a monk – and to him not being intimidated by Tetzel (p 136140).
54. Why did Luther choose 10/31/1517 to post his 95 Theses (p 140)?
55. Describe how Luther was seen as both divine and satanic (p 141-144).
56. How many days did it take to travel from Nuremberg to Rome (p 142)?
57. Explain how various socioeconomic classes reacted to Luther and why (p 143-144).
58. Describe how people “suffer[ed] doubly from Renaissance popes” (p 144-145).
59. How did Pope Leo X react to Luther’s calls against selling indulgences (p 145-148)?
60. Describe Jan Hus and his significance (p 151-152).
61. What was Exsurge Domine and what led Pope Leo X to issue it against Luther (p 156-159)?
62. Explain Luther’s decision to write in the vernacular (p 164-166).
63. Using the information on p 166-174, explain the meaning and significance of Luther ending his trial at Worms with
the German words “Here I stand. I can do no other” (p 173).
64. Which European people converted to Protestantism and why (p 174-176)?
65. Make an argument agreeing/disagreeing with the statement: Early Protestantism was tolerant of other religions (p
176-178).
66. Using Muntzer as an example, describe the radicalization of the Reformation (p 178-180).
67. Explain how many humanists came to be alienated by Luther (p 180-183).
68. Describe how the Reformation victimized humanist intellectuals (p 186-189).
69. Describe early Calvinism (p 190-193).
70. Describe the Roman Inquisition’s goals and practices (p 200-202).
71. How did Luther and henry VIII of England view each other (p 202-206)?
72. Summarize why Henry VIII left the Catholic Church (p 206-215).
73. Explain the downfall of Thomas More and its significance (p 213-215).
74. Compare and contrast “Bloody” Mary I and her half-sister Elizabeth I’s achievements as Queens of England (p 217219).
Part III: One Man Alone (p 223-296)
75. List the factors that destroyed the Renaissance (p 228-230).
76. Compare and contrast the geographical ideas of Topographia Christiana, Aristotle, Ptolemy, and average European
people (p 230-233).
77. Summarize the discoveries of early European explorers (p 233-245).
78. Describe Magellan’s background (p 245-249).
79. Describe the early stages of Magellan’s voyage, up to his discovery of the pacifico (p 249-264).
80. Describe Magellan’s route (p 265).
81. Explain the significance of Magellan’s voyage – what did it prove (p 264-269)?
82. Describe the events in the Philippines that led to Magellan’s downfall (p 269-282).
83. Whose shipboard diary preserved Magellan’s true story (p 282-286)?
84. According to Manchester, what made Magellan the hero of the Renaissance (p 286-290)?
85. In Manchester’s view, what was the most appropriate tribute to Magellan (p 286-290)?
86. Describe the tripartite universe and other superstitions of medieval people (p 290-291).
87. Identify Kepler’s significance (p 291-294). 88. Define heliocentrism (p 292).
89. Explain Ptolemy’s idea of geocentrism (p 292).
90. Summarize the Copernican Revolution and its significance (p 292).
91. Describe how Europeans’ view of the significance of Magellan’s voyage changed in the centuries after his death (p
293).
92. List some of the questions that Magellan’s voyage led European people to ask (p 293).
93. Identify Galileo and his significance (p 294).
94. According to Manchester, what idea was “one of the greatest paradigm changes in all of science” and “the crowning
triumph” of the Renaissance (p 294)?
95. How did the Pope react to the heliocentric system (p 294-295)?
96. Name the five factors that challenged and overcame the medieval mindset (p 295).
97. Interpret Voltaire’s quote: “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him” (p 295).
98. According to Manchester, what are the legacies of the end of the medieval mind and the Renaissance (p 295-296)?
99. On p 113 Manchester wrote, “Humanism, by its very character, implied a revolt against all religious authority. It still
does; the evangelists who denounce “secular humanism” five centuries later recognize the true adversity of
fundamentalism”. Give an example of how secular humanism and religious fundamentalism remain in conflict today.
100. What did you learn about the Middle Ages and Renaissance from A World Lit Only by Fire? Tip: review your answers
to the questions and summarize what you think are the most significant pieces.
Assess the achievements/contributions of:
Martin Luther
Cabot
Prince Henry the Navigator
Ponce de Leon
Bartholomew Dias
Cortes
Vasco Da Gama
Balboa
Columbus
Magellan
-What role did politics play in Magellan's voyage?
-What does Manchester think accounts for Magellan's success?
-Do you agree with Manchester's assessment of Magellan as "the world's greatest explorer"? Why or why not? Provide
evidence from the text to support your answer.
Describe the historical importance/major contributions of each: (**MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THIS PART! Many of these
individuals will be significant in our first unit!)
Boccaccio
Francis I
Maximillian I
Cesare Borgia
Fugger family
Medici family
Borgia family
Galileo
Michelangelo
Botticelli
Gutenberg
Moore
John Calvin
Henry VII
Petrarch
Carlos I (Charles V)
Henry VIII
Pico della Mirandola
Castiglione
John Hus
Rabelais
Copernicus
Julius II
Savonarola
Dante Alighieri
Kepler
Tetzel
Dũrer
Leonardo da Vinci
Torquemada
Elizabeth I
Luther
Zwingli
Erasmus
Machiavelli
Ferdinand and Isabella
Mary I ("Bloody Mary")
Critical Evaluation of the Author
-Explain the meaning of each of the section titles. For example, why does it make sense that the first section is titled
“The Medieval Mind”?
-Summarize Manchester's thesis in a single sentence. (What point is he trying to prove in writing this book?)
-Manchester includes a fair amount of sexual material in this book. Do you think it adds or detracts? Why?
-What kinds of people get the most attention in this book? Who gets the least attention? Is anyone missing entirely? Is
this a problem? Why or why not?
-Read the "Acknowledgements and Sources" and skim through the bibliography. Do most of the sources seem to be
primary (written at the time – Renaissance/Reformation) or secondary (written later by historians)? How do
Manchester’s sources influence how you evaluate this book? Does Manchester display any evident biases that come
through in his writing? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this book as an overview of the Renaissance? (If you
have been reading the PDF copy, you will find a copy of the “Acknowledgments and Sources” on Schoology )