❓ Why Quizlet?

One of the most popular study sites used by AP students is Quizlet and for good reason! Quizlet combines the classic flashcard studying method with unique, fun games to learn vocabulary. However, the number of resources provided by Quizlet can make it challenging to find the best decks for each AP European History unit.

For that reason, here are the most comprehensive Quizlet decks for effective studying! Vocabulary is critical for understanding different historical events, figures, structures, and concepts.

Treat the included unit overviews as contextualization to describe the broader processes of what is happening in that unit!

⚡ Take a look at our AP European History page for more posts like this one!

⚡ Play AP European History trivia games to test your knowledge!

🖌️ Unit 1

Renaissance and Exploration (1450–⁠1648)

🎥Watch: AP European History - Italian Renaissance

Unit 1 revolves around the Renaissance as well as European exploration from the mid-15th century to the mid-17th century, which shaped the political, economic, and intellectual identities of the region. During this time period, significant technological (navigation, cartography, military) advancements led to overseas colonies and empires. This presence on the world stage led to the development of trade networks as well as rivalries.

Best Deck: AP Euro – Unit 1: Renaissance and Exploration (1450-1648) by C. Pierce

Key Terms

• Petrarch (1304–⁠1374): the Father of the Renaissance; believed the first two centuries of the Roman Empire to represent the peak in the development of human civilization.
• Mannerism: an artistic movement that emerged in Italy in the 1520s and 1530s; it marked the end of the Renaissance by breaking down the principles of balance, harmony, and moderation.
• Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): an agreement between Portugal and Spain which declared that newly discovered lands to the west of an imaginary line in the Atlantic Ocean would belong to Spain and newly discovered lands to the east of the line would belong to Portugal.

✝️ Unit 2

Age of Reformation (1450–⁠1648)

👉 Trivia: Reformation by Liam Machlin

Unit 2 explores the numerous reform movements that occurred from the mid-15th century to the mid- 17th century, including the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Reformation. This unit also examines societal and artistic developments during this time period, specifically established hierarchies, the role of women, and mannerism and Baroque art.

Best Deck: AP Euro Unit 2, AP Euro – Reformation in Europe by Mr. Goode

Key Terms

• Erasmus: a Christian Humanist who criticized the church, as well as Luther. "Laid the egg that Luther hatched."
• Peace of Augsburg (1555): a document in which Charles V recognized Lutheranism as a legal religion in the Holy Roman Empire. The faith of the prince determined the religion of his subjects. Ended religious wars for a while.
• Catholic Counter-Reformation: an internal reform of the Catholic Church in the 16th century; thanks especially to the work of the Council of Trent (1545–⁠1563), Catholic leaders clarified doctrine, corrected abuses and corruption, and put a new emphasis on education and accountability.

☀️ Unit 3

Absolutism and Constitutionalism (1648–⁠1815)

🎥Watch: AP European History - Absolutism vs Constitutionalism Review

Unit 3 examines the political structures of absolutism and constitutionalism, exploring different historical events and figures that influenced these ideas. This unit also addresses economic developments during this time period, including the Agricultural Revolution and mercantilism.

Best Deck: AP Euro – Unit 3: Absolutism and Constitutionalism (1648-1815) by C. Pierce

Key Terms

• Divine Right: the idea that monarchs are God's representatives on earth and are therefore answerable only to God.
• English Civil War (1640–⁠1660): a conflict that featured religious disputes mixed with constitutional issues concerning the powers of the monarchy; ended with restoration of the monarchy in 1660 following execution of previous king.
• Treaty of Dover (1670): the agreement between Charles II and King Louis XIV of France without the knowledge of Parliament in which he promised religious toleration for English Catholics and his conversion to Roman Catholicism.

🔬 Unit 4

Scientific, Philosophical, and Political Developments (1648–⁠1815)

🎥Watch: AP European History -  Enlightenment

Unit 4 focuses on the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment, examining changing attitudes during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Intellectuals introduced new political and economic theories during these movements that had defining impacts of Europe. The Agricultural Revolution transformed the practices and transportation used to produce food, creating more efficient and productive processes that required fewer workers. Due to this development, urban areas saw dramatic growth as families migrated to cities in search of work.

Best Deck: AP Euro, Unit 4: Intellectual, Economic, and Social Developments by R. Ghosh

Key Terms

• Scientific Revolution: the ideas of experimental observation and mathematics slowly became part of the European worldview, when previously the theories of Aristotle were accepted.
• Tabula Rasa: a theory that says that humans aren’t born with basic ideals, but are blank slates that are developed through interactiona
• Seven Years War (1756–⁠1763): a huge conflict involving many European powers where Maria Theresa attempted to regain lost land and failed, no huge change in colonial holdings either.

🥖 Unit 5

Conflict, Crisis, and Reaction in the Late 18th Century (1648–⁠1815)

🎥Watch: AP European History - French Revolution and Neoclassic Art 

Unit 5 explores the conflicts, crises, and reactions in Europe during the late 18th century, specifically the French Revolution. During this time period, the European maritime network rapidly grew into a worldwide economic market, which led to rivalries and domination. The Enlightenment, Scientific Revolution, and Romantic Movement introduced new social, cultural, and religious ideas and defined European culture.

Best Deck: AP Euro – Unit 5: Conflict, Crisis, and Reaction in the Late 18th Century (1648-1815) by C. Pierce

Key Terms

• Romanticism: an artistic movement at its height from about 1790 to the 1840s; a revolt against classicism and the Enlightenment, characterized by a belief in emotional exuberance, unrestrained imagination, and spontaneity in both art and personal life.
• Grand Empire: the empire over which Napoleon and his allies ruled, encompassing virtually all of Europe except Great Britain and Russia.
• Concert of Europe: a series of alliances among European nations in the 19th century, devised by Prince Klemens von Metternich to prevent the outbreak of revolutions.

🏭 Unit 6

Industrialization and Its Effects (1815–⁠1914)

👉 Trivia: Fiveable Fridays Nationalism and Imperialism by Tejas Bhartiya

Unit 6 revolves around the Industrial Revolution and industrialization, emphasizing the dramatic impact on Europe and the world. This time period also saw social change, including new political ideologies, reform movements, and revolutions.

Best Deck: AP Euro – Unit 6: Industrialization and Its Effects (1815-1914) by C. Pierce

Key Terms

• Mechanization: the application of machinery to manufacturing and other activities; among the first processes to be mechanized were the spinning of cotton thread and the weaving of cloth in late-18th and early-19th-century England.
• Cult of Domesticity: an idealized view of women & home; women, self-less caregiver for children, refuge for husbands.
• Utopian Socialism: a philosophy introduced by the Frenchman Charles Fourier in the early 19th century; utopian socialists hoped to create humane alternatives to industrial capitalism by building self-sustaining communities whose inhabitants would work cooperatively.

🏳️ Unit 7

19th-Century Perspectives and Political Developments (1815–⁠1914)

👉 Trivia: Industrial Revolution and Reform by Sharii Liang

Unit 7 focuses on the prominent nationalistic and imperialistic presence developing across Europe during the 19th century, examining the global impacts of these ideas. This unit also explores cultural and intellectual movements during this time period, including social Darwinism, modernism, romanticism, and more.

Best Deck: Unit 7: 19th Century Political Developments by R. Ghosh

Key Terms

• New Imperialism: as opposed to just economic relations, European powers used military force for a complete military takeover of colonies, increasing conflict between the European states. Displayed in the scramble for Africa. Bismarck initially against colonialism, but then for it to increase the power of Germany.
• Berlin Conference: a conference among European nations that divided up Africa between the powers.
• Revolution of 1905: a push (caused by Russia's loss to Japan) amongst the middle class for liberal government, labor movement amongst factory workers, and nationalism amongst minorities.

💥 Unit 8

20th-Century Global Conflicts (1914–⁠present)

🎥Watch: AP European History - Rise of Fascism

Unit 8 examines the causes and effects of global conflicts as well as prominent events, ideologies, and developments during the 20th century. This unit also explores the global economic crisis during this time period, focusing on the Great Depression and its impact on Europe. Cultural, intellectual, and artistic developments spread across the world, including changing perspectives on science, technology, and psychology.

Best Deck: AP Euro – Unit 8 by Stacy Ray

Key Terms

• Schlieffen Plan: a failed German plan calling for a lightning attack through neutral Belgium and a quick defeat of France before turning on Russia.
• Russian Revolution (1917): a pair of revolutions in Russia that dismantled the Tsarist autocracy and led to the rise of the Soviet Union.
• Totalitarianism: a radical dictatorship that exercises "total claims" over the beliefs and behavior of its citizens by taking control of the economic, social, intellectual, and cultural aspects of society.

❄️ Unit 9

Cold War and Contemporary Europe (1914–⁠present)

📝Read: AP European History -Unit 9

Unit 9 explores the after-effects of World War II and the unstable political and economic climates that led to the Cold War. As the Cold War continued throughout the 20th century, Europe saw significant changes in political and economic structures. This unit also examines social and cultural movements, including feminism and postmodernism. As the world entered the 21st century, technological developments and globalization dramatically altered human interactions.

Best Deck: AP Euro – Unit 9: Cold War and Contemporary Europe (1914-Present) by C. Pierce

Key Terms

• Decolonization: the postwar reversal of Europe's overseas expansion caused by the rising demand of the colonized peoples themselves, the declining power of European nations, and the freedoms promised by US and Soviet ideals.
• Globalization: the emergence of a freer, more technologically connected global economy, accompanied by a worldwide exchange of cultural, political, and religious ideas.
• Warsaw Pact (1955):  a Soviet-backed military alliance of East Bloc Communist countries in Europe.

✨ Final Words About Quizlet

Quizlet is an amazing tool to use for some quick review before a unit test or the AP exam! You can even create your own decks to have a personalized study session. Remember that the themes and their connections within the course are more important than memorizing specific people or dates. Take breaks from Quizlet to find relationships between content and new vocabulary. You've got this and good luck with your studying!

✅ All unit overviews are courtesy of the College Board’s AP European History Course and Exam Description.