AP World History

Review Guide
I made a review sheet for the AP World History: Modern exam and I organized
it by region, time period, and S.P.R.I.T.E. attributes. All information is from the
AP textbook, The Princeton Review, and my classroom notes. Keep in mind
these are quick, short, and general summarizations, so it lacks specific details
that may be necessary for the exam. I had this review guide validated by my AP
teacher before I released it, so all information should be accurate. Feel free to
print this off and use it FOR REFERENCE on exam day, but please do not take
directly from it because people will end up with similar contextualizations and
that will become a problem. I would also recommend that you do not rely on
this and only this for the exam. If you have any questions of comments feel free
to dm me on Instagram @gigi.agnello. Good luck on your DBQs!!!!

Here’s a quick reminder of what SPRITE stands for:

• • S – Social
• • P – Political
• • R – Religion
• • I – Intellectual
• • T – Technology
• • E – Economy
East Asia & Russia:
1200-1450 1450-1750 1750-1900
Genghis Kahn’s Mongolian China and Japan both wanted to The high population left China
Empire permanently unified preserve their own cultures and with economic and social
Asia after previous periods of maintain an organized disorder. People in China
S fragmentation, but the empire
also disrupted and destroyed a
lot of Asian culture.
civilization. Population
increased drastically and caused
problems for the Chinese and
greatly disapproved of the
foreign intrusion and began to
mistrust and rebel against the
Japanese. Chinese government.
The Song Dynasty lasted until Japan was very aggressive and Russia was slow to modernize
Genghis Kahn took over and invaded Korea, leaving it and continually made attempts to
he ruled until he died and his devastated. Then, Japan went gain access to the Baltic Sea. For
grandson, Kublai Kahn took through a civil war and the example, the Crimean War.
over. However, he was Tokugawa Shogunate took England and the Qing Empire

P nowhere near as respected,

which caused conflict among
the empire. The Ming Dynasty
over. The Ming and Qing ruled
over China during this time
period. Peter Romanov made
engaged in the Opium War,
which resulted in England
imperializing parts of China.
Then, the Taiping Rebellion
eventually restored China back attempts to westernize Russia.
devasted the Qing Empire
to Chinese rule.
further. Korea took advantage of
China’s weakness and declared
their independence.
A lot of Asia practiced Buddhism and Confucianism When the British imperialized
Buddhism and Confucianism. continued to be practiced in China they forced the Manchu
Dynasty to permit Christian

R
Confucianism, however, was much of East Asia. Japan
not a theological system like welcomed Christianity until the missionaries back into the
other religions. Buddhism Tokugawa Shogunate took country. In China’s rough times
spread out of Hinduism, over. Russia was open to any some Buddhists began to believe
another religion prominent in religions, but it was mainly in the coming of Buddha, which
Asia. Christian. caused internal conflict.
The Mongol Kahns supported Rather than invest in Russia continued to incorporate

I intellectual advancements by
funding things like medicine
and astronomy.
innovations and risks, both the
Chinese and Japanese returned
to more traditional lifestyles to
maintain stability.
European education and
languages. More and more
people became involved in
intellectual, artistic, and
professional life.
The Song dynasty, before the Japan and China closed Russia began to add things like
Mongols, was a part of the themselves off to European railroad networks. Japan
Golden Age of China, which influence including Christianity remained isolated and was
was a long period of and trade. Therefore, they falling farther and farther

T technological advances. The

Mongolian Empire invested in
advances instead like courier
failed to advance
technologically along with the
rest of the world.
behind the rest of the world.
England modernized the places
it imperialized, including
networks (mail) and China.
gunpowder.
The Mongols opened doors to Population increase in Japan and As the population increased
unlimited and long-distance China caused an economic and agricultural deterioration
trade, which was once environmental strain. The Ming became a strain on the
extremely dangerous. For Empire transformed the global environment and economy.

E example, the Silk Road

became much more utilized
and beneficial after it was
economy by stimulating
commercial development. Under
the Tokugawa Shogunate, the
Europeans in Asia were more
interested in what they had to
offer economically rather than
unified by one large empire. merchant class was restrained, to settle.
and they accepted the idea of an
economy based on agriculture.
Africa, Middle East, & India:
1200-1450 1450-1750 1750-1900
In India they followed the Europeans remained a minor As British imperialism began
caste system, which divides presence in most of Africa. The to take over these areas, the
Hindus into rigid hierarchical Muslims of the Middle East and people developed a strong
groups. Population in Africa Africa were required to cover sense of nationalism. They felt

S fell due to a disease called

Malaria. Due to increases in
the economy, a much greater
their entire body and they
allowed women to keep
property, which was uncommon
disrespected by the British
because the Europeans
believed they were superior to
gap between the rich and poor during this time period. all other ethnicities and races.
was established.
Mali, a large, centralized Africa lacked any centralized European powers took
empire in Africa, attracted states and suffered a period of advantage of Africa’s
Islamic traders with its large fragmentation. Portugal, in fragmentation and divided it
amounts of gold. The Songhai attempt to create a trading up among themselves. India
Empire in west Africa was monopoly, took over multiple fell victim to British

P another important large

important empire. The Delhi
Sultanate ruled northern India
trading ports along the Indian
Ocean. The Ottomans, Safavids,
and Mughals were all empires in
imperialism. It wasn’t until a
sudden sense of nationalism
that they began to fight for
during this time period. the Middle East and India. Both independence. Janissaries
the Mughals and Safavids lacked began to revolt in Serbia.
a military. Greece and Serbia broke away
from the Ottoman Empire.
Islam began to spread into The Ottoman military was made Religious conflict between
Africa peacefully, however, it up of Janissaries, who were Muslims and Hindus sent the

R
spread into India aggressively. Christian boys who grew in Mughal empire into decline.
Much of India also practiced status. Conflicts between When the British took control
Hinduism and Buddhism. Christian Ethiopia and the of India, they lacked respect
neighboring Muslim states for Muslim and Hindu
increased. religious customs.
In most African communities, The post Mongol period saw a New reforms began in the
oral literature was an burst of creativity and Ottoman Empire, and they
influential aspect of life. innovation in Iran, Afghanistan, began to introduce European
I Furthermore, Muslims
promoted literacy and
educated their children in
and Central Asia. By 1500 an
immense library of legal and
theological writings had come
culture and influence by
teaching foreign subjects.
French also became the
mosques. into being. preferred language.
The construction of large ships The Ottomans, Safavids, and Places like India and the
helped improve trade. Other Mughals all declined because of Middle East did not initially

T
advancements like extensive inability to adjust to the military industrialize and continued to
irrigation systems helped and technology advancements. produce raw materials and
improve farming in Africa. rely on Europe for any
manufactured goods, so they
failed to develop any
technological advancements
on their own.
Indian Ocean trade between The slave trade increased After the slave trade was
Africa and Asia prospered in drastically, and many African abolished, the African

E
the trade of luxuries with tribes often exchanged prisoners economy began to rely on the
Islamic traders. However, of war for guns and textiles. trade of things like oils and
most Africans made their ivory. India and the Middle
livelihood through agriculture. East economies became
almost completely dependent
on European powers.
Europe:
1200-1450 1450-1750 1750-1900
Europe was just coming out of France was the leading world Population grew in Europe
the Dark Ages after the power. The feudal system because of higher resistance to
Roman Empire had fallen. The became inefficient and new disease, more reliable food,
bubonic plague wiped out fields in manufacturing, finance, and earlier marriages. This all

S much of the population

causing serfdom to decrease
and new fields and social
and trade emerged. The Iberian
Peninsula began an era of
exploration that would lead to
led to higher birthrates and
less casualties. As population
skyrocketed, urbanization in
classes to emerge. European conquest over the Europe increased.
Western Hemisphere.
States were ruled by weak The English and Dutch began The French Revolution caused
monarchs with limited developing policies that were the French’s once powerful
treasuries. The Hundred Years more favorable to capitalism. empire to deteriorate. Then,
War was also fought between Alliances between monarchs Napoleon attempted to create
France and England during were formed through marriages. a vast territorial empire across

P this time period. France wins. Warfare was almost a constant

during this time period,
including the Thirty-Years War.
continental Europe. Britain
went through a period of
imperialism, taking over most
In order to keep peace European of Asia. Nationalism played
governments viewed each other an important part into British
as sovereign and equal. imperialism.
The church had a large Missionaries were a common Europe remained
influence on European culture motive for exploration. The predominantly Christian. The
and government. Furthermore, Catholic Church became Christians also began to
R Jews were subject to violent
religious persecution from
Christians.
controversial and Christianity
divided into branches including,
Lutheranism and Protestantism.
advocate for the elimination of
slavery, which succeeded in
Europe and eventually other
locations.
The Renaissance in Italy made Enlightenment began in Paris Enlightenment continued to
great advancements in and people began to make spread to places outside of
education, medicine, theology, scientific advancements in ideas Paris and caused momentous
I and philosophy. concerning God, reason, and
humanity, which led to
progressions in philosophy,
developments in politics and
science across the globe.

politics, astronomy, math,

science, and education.
The development of powerful The maritime revolution led to The Industrial Revolution
weapons, new printing developments in navigational began during this time period
technology, and deep mining instruments like the astrolabe thus causing progressions in
T were prominent in this time
period.
and compass. New ship designs
were also created like the
caravel.
things like railroads,
steamboats, telegrams, and
production in factories.

Growth of commerce gave rise Trade and commercial aspects The Industrial Revolution
to banks and financial were becoming more influential benefited the economy
institutions. Although overall around the world and Portugal tremendously. Expansions in
economy shrunk with the wanted to monopolize trade travel allowed for more

E decline in population, per

capita production rose.
among Asia and Africa. They
took over many trading ports in
Indian Ocean states in attempt to
efficient trade, and
developments in machines
allowed for much faster and
achieve their goal. cheaper production of
products in factories.
Latin America:
12oo-1450 1450-1750 1750-1900
The Aztecs were aristocratic The Spanish colonial rule The abolition of slavery did not
and used the tribute system to established a social hierarchy end racism in the Western
help feed their people, and going from Peninsulares, to Hemisphere. The fight for
they gained land through Creoles, to Mestizos & equality for women continued

S ruthless conquering. The Inca

followed a system of forced
tribute labor (Mit’a System).
Mulattos, to Amerindians, and
on the bottom was African
slaves. They also used the
and women slowly were given
more and more career
opportunities.
encomienda system of forced
labor.
The Aztecs (Mexico) and Spanish victory over the Aztecs Following the American and
Incas (west coast of South and Incas was caused by French Revolution countries in
America) were large European borne diseases and South America and Central
P centralized states that ruled
during this time period.
superior weapons. Spain sent
viceroys to rule their new
conquered lands. Portugal took
America began their fight for
independence and eventually
they all achieved it. For
interest in Brazil. example, the Haitian
Revolution (slave rebellion).
Native American people were In return for the forced labor, Christianity remained the
polytheistic, and their daily peninsulares promised to predominant religion across
life was heavily influenced by protect the natives and convert Latin America due to their
it. A common practice of their them to Christianity. Christian European background and

R religion was human sacrifice

to the gods they worshipped.
missionaries disapproved of the
treatment the natives were
getting and they appealed for
influence on the people.

more workers. The reformers

agreed and brought in new
workers, African slaves.
The Aztecs wrote using As a result of this exploration Argentina and Uruguay were
symbols and pictures. The era, people were able to one of the first nations to
Incas lacked a written develop much better provide public school for
language, but recorded understandings of the world women and opened up new

I information through knotted

strings. Inca and Aztec
civilizations were also very
and how big it actually is. careers for them.

advanced in mathematics,
astronomy, and medicine.
The Incas had an extensive The Europeans came over with Latin America failed to
paved road system that went new technologies and industrialize and focused

T
throughout the entire empire. advancements. They used those primarily on plantations and
Aztecs made developments in advancements and quickly agriculture. As a result, Latin
canoe building and weapons transformed South America to America was dependent on
made of obsidian. fit their own standard. capital and technology from
abroad.
Aztec economy was based on Sugar plantations in Brazil and Almost every government in
war and agriculture. Trade other large plantations across Latin America promoted new
during this time period was the new lands caused a drastic economic ideas, but none of
E typically lightweight and
valuable.
increase in the slave trade. them industrialized. New
demands for metals like copper,
zinc, lead, coal, and tin led to a
mining boom across the
Western Hemisphere.
North America:
(minus Central America & Mexico)
1200-1450 1450-1750 1750-1900
In the Midwest, Hopewell People from all over Europe Immigrants flooded to the U.S.
people became urbanized continued to move to the and replaced natives and child
which stimulated trade colonies in hopes of getting rich labor. Work was removed from
networks and agricultural or to escape religious the home, and families were

S productivity. Life was based

on agriculture in much of
southwestern territory
prosecution. Colonists in North
America were becoming
irritated with the way they were
separated all day. Women and
African Americans began the
movement to fight for their
(Anasazi). being governed and often rights and equal treatment.
rebelled against British rule.
The north during this period Private investors in England The American Revolution
lacked large centralized states and France played a larger role gained the colonists their
like Latin America had, but in the colonization of North independence. The U.S.
they had much smaller American territories in contrast became a leading world power.

P chiefdoms like the mound

building Hopewell people near
the Mississippi River.
to the Spaniards’ royal backing.
During colonization of the U.S.,
England needed to pay off war
Slavery and states’ rights was a
dividing issue in the U.S. that
drove them into a civil war.
debts and taxed the colonists. Canada also began their fight
for independence.
Native American people were European missionaries Christianity remained the
polytheistic, and their daily encouraged Amerindians to predominant religion across the
life was heavily influenced by follow Christianity. Witch- U.S. and Canada due to their
R it. A common practice of their
religion was human sacrifice
to the gods they worshipped.
Hunts became a problem in the
U.S. that stemmed from
tensions between Protestants
European background and
influence.

and Catholics.
The pottery created by The colonies advanced and Not everyone in the U.S. could
Anasazi people had intricate developed quickly. Newspapers receive an education during this
geometric patterns. Crafts and other pieces of literature time, so reform movements
I goods were a significant part
of Native American society.
heavily influenced the colonies
toward their independence
movement.
began to expand education to
all children.

The Anasazi people used Navigational advancements in The Industrial Revolution

kivas, underground buildings, seafaring were made. This no began during this time period
for weaving, pottery making, longer limited the world to land causing progressions in things
T and religious details. The
Mississippian culture also
incorporated the use of the
travel and allowed for people to
travel to the colonies easily.
like railroads, steamboats,
telegrams, and factories.

bow and arrow into their daily

life.
In the Midwest they relied Fur was the initial profit of the The middle class greatly
more on hunting and gathering new world in North America. benefitted from the Industrial
with limited cultivation. The After colonization, England Revolution. However, labor in
E southern Anasazi communities
had a well-established
economy based on maize,
began to tax its colonists on
things like tea and exports. This
caused conflict between the
U.S. factories became unsafe
and dangerous because working
conditions were not well
beans and squash. colonists and the English regulated.
government.