The AP® History Help Podcast

 AP European History Unit 3: Absolutism and Constitutionalism  

 Dive into AP European History Unit 3 with AP History Help as we explore the epic clash between Absolutism and Constitutionalism from 1648-1815! This episode unpacks the profound impact of the Commercial Revolutionand the devastating Wars of Religion (including the Thirty Years' War) on state-building in early modern Europe. Discover how monarchs like Louis XIV epitomized absolute power with divine right at Versailles, while England forged a different path through the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution, culminating in the English Bill of Rights (1689). We'll also examine the unique Dutch Golden Age and the crucial concept of the Balance of Power that defined European international relations. Featuring a dramatic "Princes in the Tower" fun fact, this is your essential guide to understanding the political, economic, and social forces that shaped modern European states. Perfect for AP Euro students mastering Unit 3 content on power, profit, and piety!  

AP European History Unit 2: The Age of Reformation (1450-1648)

What Broke Europe?

 The 16th century wasn't just a time of change – it was an era where Europe's spiritual and political landscape was shattered and rebuilt. Join AP History Help for Unit 2 of AP European History: The Age of Reformation (1450-1648). We explore the individual who started it all, Martin Luther, and his 95 Theses against indulgences, igniting the Protestant Reformation. Learn about King Henry VIII's quest for an heir that led to the English Reformation and the Church of England. Witness the Catholic Counter-Reformation's strategic response, including the Council of Trent and the rise of the Jesuits. This episode also unpacks the devastating religious wars across the continent, from the French Wars of Religion to the continent-altering Thirty Years' War and the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. Discover how daily life, social hierarchies, women's roles, and even the witchcraft trials were transformed. Perfect for students of AP Euro, AP World, or anyone curious about how religion and power shaped modern Europe. Featuring a lively "Defenestration of Prague" tale!  

 AP European History Unit 1 The Renaissance & Exploration    

Wendy dives into AP European History Unit 1 (1450–1648), covering the Renaissance, humanism, the printing press, the rise of new monarchies, and the Age of Exploration. Learn how events like the Columbian Exchange, the growth of global trade, and the beginnings of the Atlantic slave trade reshaped Europe and the world. Wendy also highlights key figures such as Petrarch, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, and Prince Henry the Navigator, while connecting themes to future AP exam essay prompts. Whether you’re new to AP Euro or looking for a solid review, this episode gives you the context and examples you need for success.

  AP History Exam 2025 Unboxed

 In this special season wrap-up, Wendy dives into the just-released 2025 AP World History and AP U.S. History free-response questions (FRQs)! Whether you're here for AP World or APUSH, Wendy shares her real-time reactions, breaks down each SAQ, DBQ, and LEQ, and gives insight into the kinds of historical thinking, examples, and strategies you’ll need to succeed. This episode is perfect for students, teachers, and future test-takers looking to understand the exam style.  Plus, get tips on what to expect next year, and why women’s history, Cold War diplomacy, and economic change were central themes this year. Don’t miss this final episode of the season!