AP European History Summer Assignment
Salem High School
Mrs. Entsminger
Welcome to AP European History! AP European History is a college prep course that provides students
with an academic experience equivalent to a freshman / sophomore college survey of European history.
The course is specifically designed to provide students with an in-depth study of European history from
the 15th century through the modern day. In addition to course content, the course is specifically designed
to enhance student analytical reading and essay writing skills. AP European History covers an extensive
curriculum at an accelerated pace and provides a wonderful and challenging opportunity for great success.
Therefore, students enrolled in this class will be required to complete a summer assignment.
Please keep in mind the following due date:
st day of school: The Prince guided reading questions and news article
4-5
Monday(A) & Tuesday(B), Sept. 8 &9
Regarding the summer assignment, if you have any questions need clarification or would like feedback
please contact me. I will be checking my email throughout the summer. I will also have office hours on
Monday, July 21 from 12:30 – 2:00pm and on Monday, August 11 from 12:30 – 2:00pm. Good luck and I
look forward to seeing you in September!
Mrs. Lisa Entsminger
Salem High School
Social Studies Department
[email protected] (or maybe try [email protected] )
Note: All summer assignments will also be available on the Salem H.S. webpage – AP link.
SHS AP HomePage: http://www.salemhs.vbschools.com/ap.htm
AP European History Summer Assignment
PART I
(Major Evaluation: 100 points)
Map Assignment (Major Evaluation)
You are expected to have a general knowledge of European geography before we begin our discussion of
modern European history. You will be tested on countries, capitals and major cities on: Thurs., Sept. 4
(A) & Fri., Sept. 5 (B) (which is the second class meeting). There will also be a test on the physical map
of Europe on Mon., Sept. 8 (A) and on Tues., Sept. 9 (B).
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:
A good physical map of Europe is located at:
-physical-maps.html
Two websites that have been very useful for students in the past in studying for the map tests are:
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/euroquiz.html
Please know the following countries:
Please know the following
Capitols & Cities
Rivers:
Danube
Mountain Ranges:
For the Physical Map, please
know the following:
Bodies of Water:
AP European History Summer Assignment
PART II
(Minor Evaluation: 50 points)
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, for the powerful Republic of Florence
from 1498-1512, was during the politically volatile era of the Italian Renaissance which 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 de
Medici (the Magnificent). 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 Virginia Beach should have copies of The Prince—however, I would urge you to obtain your
own copy in case there is a lengthy wait. As an alternative, there is a full text copy online at
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1232/1232-h/1232-h.htm
Answer the following questions in as much detail as possible (and obviously, complete sentences) on
loose-leaf paper. Responses should be well organized and your analysis should use evidence from the
book. Responses should be written in blue or black 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 10 points per block.
Guided Reading Questions for The Prince: (Minor Evaluation)
1. Describe the political situation that prompted Machiavelli to write The Prince.
2. Name the three major themes of The Prince. (HINT: Look at the chapter titles)
3. 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.
4. How does Machiavelli’s advice concerning the prince’s conduct in chapters 15-19 conflict with the
advice previous writers would have given?
5. What does Machiavelli say in regards to a prince being either feared or loved? Which, in Machiavelli’s
opinion, is more important? Explain.
6. Is it possible for a prince to be both? Explain.
7. 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.
8. What is the significance of the Myth of Chiron in Chapter 18? What are the qualities symbolized by the
fox and the lion?
9. What is the course a prince should follow in choosing his advisors? What is the best method in
recognizing a good minister?
10. Discuss Machiavelli’s views on religion.
11. List and describe ten characteristics of a Machiavellian ruler.
12. As you perceive it, describe what a state (nation/country) might be like under a Machiavellian ruler.
AP European History Summer Assignment
PART III
Major Evaluation (100 points)
Choose one contemporary European leader, who has been in power at some time in the last 30 years.
Research this leader’s biography, especially his or her political style and accomplishments or failures.
Theme: Consider whether and how your chosen leader’s life does (or does not) show that Machiavelli’s
advice to leaders is still relevant today. As you discuss the life and work of your leader, make sure that
you include (and cite) relevant quotes from The Prince.
Directions: Write an article for a newsmagazine aimed at readers, like your parents, who have general
knowledge about current events and contemporary leaders but may have forgotten what they learned
about Machiavelli.
Follow these guidelines:
1. Give your article a title that will grab your audience’s attention
2. Structure your article in this way:
a. Introduction: Provide a concise introduction on why you chose this particular leader, and whether (or
not) and how well (or not) Machiavelli’s advice is still relevant today.
b. Body Paragraph 1: Explain the political, economic and social situation of your leader’s time that may
have affected your leader’s policies and decisions.
c. Body Paragraph 2: Explain your leader’s ideas and ideologies and demonstrate whether (or not) and
how well (or not) Machiavelli’s advice was relevant to your leader.
d. Body Paragraph 3: Explain what you think accounted for the fact that your leader was able to (or not)
successfully implement Machiavelli’s advice.
e. Conclusion: Evaluate the success (overall) of Machiavellian princes, and predict the impact their
existence has had and will have on world affairs.
3. Create a drawing or cartoon that illustrates the main points of your article
4. Make your article about two pages in length. Type (double space) or write your final draft neatly in ink.
5. Remember, as you discuss the life and work of your leader, make sure that you include relevant and
persuasive evidence from your leader’s life to support your assertions as well as appropriate quotes from
The Prince. Be sure to cite your evidence.
6. Note: You will receive at most, half credit, if you disregard these instructions and choose a nonEuropean or non-contemporary leader.
GRADING RUBRIC FOR NEWS ARTILCE
(Major Evaluation)
90-100 pts.: Student completes the news article in accordance with instructions. Student descriptively and
correctly describes their leader’s accomplishments and/or failures; coherently addresses the political,
economic and social pressures that influenced the leader’s decisions; convincingly explains whether (or
not) Machiavelli’s is relevant for this leader in this situation; clearly evaluates the impact of
Machiavellian princes on world affairs. References from the leader’s life as well as the The Prince are
persuasively used (and cited) to enhance the author’s argument. Drawing clearly illustrates the main
point(s) of article. (Don’t worry, this is not an art class, just make it simple, clear & neat). Student
demonstrates command of Standard English conventions.
80-89 pts.: Student responds to all parts of the task, but may lack descriptions, details, historical accuracy
or demonstrate relevancy. References from the leader’s life are used The Prince are used and mostly
cited. The drawing is understandable. There are no distracting mechanics or grammatical errors.
70-79 pts.: Student responds to most parts of the task. An attempt is made to describe their leader’s
accomplishments and failures. An attempt has been made to address the political, economic and social
pressures that influenced their leader. An attempt has been made to explain whether (or not) Machiavelli’s
advice was relevant their leader. References to the leader’s life and The Prince may be confusing or not
cited. The drawing is confusing. May have grammatical errors.
60-69 pts. Student responds to some of the task. Factual errors, description and details are weakly
provided. References and relevancy are weakly connected. Grammatical errors are distracting to the
reader.
59 or below = Response does not match the task or is incorrect.