2026
,Table of Contents
How to Use This Book
Barron’s Essential 5
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
All About the Exam
Systematic Methods for Studying History
Historical Skills Used in All AP History Exams
AP History Disciplinary Practices
Historical Thinking Skills
AP History Reasoning Skills
Additional Skills Not Required by the College Board
A Guide to the AP European History Exam
PART 2: REVIEW SECTION: TIME PERIODS
Examination of Periodization and Required Time Periods
TIME PERIOD ONE: C. 1450 TO C. 1648
Time Period Overview
UNIT 1: RENAISSANCE AND EXPLORATION
Unit 1 Overview: Renaissance and Exploration
,1 The Renaissance and Age of Exploration
Overview
The Italian Renaissance
The Northern Renaissance
Renaissance Views on Gender and Ethnicity
Social Structure During the Renaissance
Renaissance Points to Remember
Exploration and Colonization: 1400s to 1600s
The Expansion of Europe
The Development of “Natural Philosophy” or Science
The Renaissance Characters
Important Artistic Movements in European History
Practice Questions
Answers and Explanations
UNIT 2: AGE OF REFORMATION
Unit 2 Overview: Age of Reformation—Chapter 2
2 Protestant Reformation, Catholic and
Counter-Reformations, Wars of Religion
(1517–1648)
Overview
Causes of the Reformation
Chronological Overview of Events, Personalities, and Ideas
Gender and Ethnicity During the Reformation
The Baroque Period of Art
Many Faiths Chart
Practice Questions
Answers and Explanations
, TIME PERIOD TWO: C. 1649 TO C. 1815
Time Period Overview
UNIT 3: ABSOLUTISM AND
CONSTITUTIONALISM
Unit 3 Overview: Absolutism and Constitutionalism
3 Absolutism and Constitutionalism
Overview
The Development of Absolutism in France
The Development of Constitutionalism in England
The Elizabethan Age
The Stuart Kings and Parliament (1603–1688)
The Course of the Conflict
The Stuart Restoration (1660–1688)
The Glorious Revolution
The Dutch Revolt and the Golden Age of the Netherlands
Women During the Age of Absolutism
Absolutism in the Ottoman Empire
Absolute Monarchs of the Late-17th and Early-18th Centuries
A Guide to Monarchs and Their Families
Practice Questions
Answers and Explanations
UNIT 4: SCIENTIFIC, PHILOSOPHICAL, AND
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS (1648–1789)
Unit 4: Scientific, Philosophical, and Political Developments
,Table of Contents
How to Use This Book
Barron’s Essential 5
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
All About the Exam
Systematic Methods for Studying History
Historical Skills Used in All AP History Exams
AP History Disciplinary Practices
Historical Thinking Skills
AP History Reasoning Skills
Additional Skills Not Required by the College Board
A Guide to the AP European History Exam
PART 2: REVIEW SECTION: TIME PERIODS
Examination of Periodization and Required Time Periods
TIME PERIOD ONE: C. 1450 TO C. 1648
Time Period Overview
UNIT 1: RENAISSANCE AND EXPLORATION
Unit 1 Overview: Renaissance and Exploration
,1 The Renaissance and Age of Exploration
Overview
The Italian Renaissance
The Northern Renaissance
Renaissance Views on Gender and Ethnicity
Social Structure During the Renaissance
Renaissance Points to Remember
Exploration and Colonization: 1400s to 1600s
The Expansion of Europe
The Development of “Natural Philosophy” or Science
The Renaissance Characters
Important Artistic Movements in European History
Practice Questions
Answers and Explanations
UNIT 2: AGE OF REFORMATION
Unit 2 Overview: Age of Reformation—Chapter 2
2 Protestant Reformation, Catholic and
Counter-Reformations, Wars of Religion
(1517–1648)
Overview
Causes of the Reformation
Chronological Overview of Events, Personalities, and Ideas
Gender and Ethnicity During the Reformation
The Baroque Period of Art
Many Faiths Chart
Practice Questions
Answers and Explanations
, TIME PERIOD TWO: C. 1649 TO C. 1815
Time Period Overview
UNIT 3: ABSOLUTISM AND
CONSTITUTIONALISM
Unit 3 Overview: Absolutism and Constitutionalism
3 Absolutism and Constitutionalism
Overview
The Development of Absolutism in France
The Development of Constitutionalism in England
The Elizabethan Age
The Stuart Kings and Parliament (1603–1688)
The Course of the Conflict
The Stuart Restoration (1660–1688)
The Glorious Revolution
The Dutch Revolt and the Golden Age of the Netherlands
Women During the Age of Absolutism
Absolutism in the Ottoman Empire
Absolute Monarchs of the Late-17th and Early-18th Centuries
A Guide to Monarchs and Their Families
Practice Questions
Answers and Explanations
UNIT 4: SCIENTIFIC, PHILOSOPHICAL, AND
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS (1648–1789)
Unit 4: Scientific, Philosophical, and Political Developments
