Summer Assignment for AP European History:

Chapter 11: The Later Middle Ages: Crises and Disintegration in the 14 th Century
Answer each question in complete sentences.
1. Discuss the factors that led to the urban and rural revolts in the 14 th century.
2. Was desperate poverty a chief cause of these revolts? Why or why not?
3. What was the main cause of the 14 th century famines?
4. What were the causes of the Hundred Years’ War?
5. Why did the war continue on for so long during the 14 th century?
6. What advantages did each side possess?
7. What were the results of these wars on both France and England?
8. What changes occurred in the political life of Italy during the 14 th century?
9. What were the main causes of the Great Schism?
10. What were the major results of this great political and religious conflict?
11. What does the phrase ‘vernacular language’ mean?
12. How did the adversities of the 14 th century affect both urban life and medical
practices at the time?
II.
Geography
a. See list of countries, cities and geographic features at end of this section
b. Print out map and label it
c. Expect a geography quiz when school begins
III.
Machiavelli’s The Prince
A. Purchase a copy of the book. It is available in local book stores or can be
purchased online.
B. Background on Machiavelli
For some background on Machiavelli, feel free to use the internet or an
encyclopedia. It’s important to know the context (time, place, situations) in which
he’s writing, in order to understand his purpose. The following sites give quick
summaries of Machiavelli’s life:
http://www.philosophypages.com/ph/macv.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machiavelli
http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/philosophers/machaivelli.html