The elusive attempt at statehood...

Here is an FRQ question from the 2007 AP European History exam:

Analyze the factors that prevented a unified German state in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. (I italicized the centuries for emphasis). See instructions below.

Images above: Bautzen in 1620; Bautzen in 1620 and 1634.

This is considered to be a straightforward, "mainstream" FRQ question.

• Remember that for a top score (8-9 pts.), you should include references to three factors.
• Each factor should be accompanied by multiple pieces of evidence.
• A factor can be specific (like the Ninety-five Theses) or general (like the Thirty Years' War).
• Your essay must refer to factors in both centuries (you may go beyond 1648).
• Your essay should not contain any major errors; may contain minor errors that do not detract from the argument

Think of three good factors you could use for your thesis statement/essay paragraphs. I will hand out some ideas in our seventeenth century lunch review sessions two weeks from now, but I suggest you come up with a rough outline for this if you have time, in order to prepare for our review. It should not take you more than 15 minutes. E-mail me if you have any questions or need some hints.

Above: Bautzen today. Click for cool large panoramic view.

Imperialism vs. Nationalism: Two nineteenth century depictions of executions

The two paintings below are among the most well-known of the past two centuries.

Compare and contrast the historical events surrounding these two incidents, and each artist's depiction of the respective events. (I highly suggest you click on the links-- they are quite interesting).

The Third of May 1808 by Francisco Goya.

Historical context: Spielvogel pg. 558.

Here is a good, simple analysis of the painting. Here is a more scholarly view, from the Met.

The Execution of Emperor Maximilian by Edouard Manet.

Historical context of Napoleon III's "Mexican adventure": Spielvogel pg. 623.

Here is an excellent web site from the MoMA discussing the above painting and Manet's several versions.

Finally, here are some questions for comparison (click on the paintings for separate pages devoted to each).

1848: "Prussians are shooting Prussians!"

Hello again! I am reviving this blog both to supplement what we learn in class and to help with review for the AP exam.

A possible FRQ question may read something like this:

Analyze how conservatism, liberalism, nationalism, and realism helped or hindered German unity between 1815 and 1871.

Since there is no need to address Metternich again, let's start with the failed 1848 revolutions in the German lands...

First, you may remember Carl Shurz's account on pg. 607 (Spielvogel Chapter 21). Shurz was the first German-born American senator. Here is a link to the full account (it has two more paragraphs). As you read this, relate it to Heinrich von Gagern's letter to his father on pg. 597.

Here is an interesting secondary summary of events, titled "The March Days of 1848" that provides some detailed information (for example, German nationalists also used a tricolor cockade and illustrations).

Finally, here is a great set of short Documents of German Unification 1848-1871 (Including the Imperial Proclamation!) NOTE: These would work well for DBQ point of view practice as well.

Since you do not have time to answer the above question in essay form, write down main points that you would use as evidence for each sub-topic.

We will go over this question in one of the May evening review sessions.

Late Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals Part I

You could spend hours looking at pictures of these buildings, but here are the most significant ones, in chronological order (I will post these over a few days):

DURHAM CATHEDRAL, Durham, York (England), built 11th-13th centuries.

This cathedral is not Gothic but actually late Romanesque, which is known as Norman in England, as it was designed by those eleventh-century invaders. Norman architecture features larger windows than Romanesque architecture, but does not have flying butresses or tall spires.


A great history of the cathedral can be read here, courtesy of good ol' Dom Paradox. (Warning: This site has many pictures and can lead to hours of browsing!)


The River Wear, which runs through northeast England.


The church still dominates the town's skyline today, 900 years later.

The cloister. (A covered walk with an open colonnade on one side, running along the walls of buildings that face a quadrangle-- American Heritage Dictionary)

The nave (an architectural term you should know which we will discuss in class). Note the rib-vaulted ceiling. Naves would be taller and more magnificent in the Gothic period, in churches such as Notre Dame, Chartres, and Cologne, about which I will post later in the week.

Carcassonne. Medieval magnificence. Etymological mystery.

The brief search at the end of class did not yield any results, and a quick Google search did not do much either. Several sources mention "Carsac" as a Celtic place-name, but do not define it, unless Carsac is Languedog Celtic for "place name." (This is possible, but that would be disappointing!) If you can find out what it is, you will have the privilege of explaining it to the class. In the meantime, here is a good link to Carcassone's history from a Languedoc-based web site (The Languedoc is both a language and historical region; read about it here).