AP World History : Ethnic Identities 600 CE to 1450

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Ethnic Identities 600 Ce To 1450

After the 7th century, the Arabic language ____________.

Possible Answers:

became common in Europe

went extinct, only to be resurrected thanks to modern scholars

was heavily influenced by the Arabs' new neighbors, the Chinese

ceased to be anything but a clerical language

spread far beyond its origins on the Arabian peninsula

Correct answer:

spread far beyond its origins on the Arabian peninsula

Explanation:

In the 7th and 8th centuries the Arabic language became very widespread in North Africa.

Arabic is the clerical language of Islam, but it never ceased to be a spoken language as well.

The Arabic speaking empire never extended to China.

Modern scholars have codified the Arabic language in new ways, but the language never went extinct.

Arabic has never been spoken by more than a small minority or Europeans.

Example Question #1 : Ethnic Identities 600 Ce To 1450

Why did antisemitism emerge in Europe during the High Middle Ages?

Possible Answers:

Jews were given certain favors and advantages by the Holy Roman Emperor.

Jews were blamed by the papacy for the murder of Jesus Christ.

Christians were forbidden from moneylending.

None of these answers are correct, antisemitism did not emerge in Europe until the early modern period.

Jews were conscripted into armed militias by the Holy Roman Empire.

Correct answer:

Christians were forbidden from moneylending.

Explanation:

Antisemitism first began to emerge in Europe during the High Middle Ages. The primary reason for this, other than the growing power of local church authorities, was the simple fact that Christians were forbidden from moneylending. Moneylending is an important part of a functional economy and someone had to step in to fill the void left behind by the Christian prohibition. Jews, in many European societies, grew wealthy as a result of moneylending practices, which in turn made them unpopular and created an antisemitic discourse that persists until this day.

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