AP European History - Student Samples from the 2023 Exam Administration

2023

European History

Sample Student Responses

and Scoring Commentary

Set 1

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Long Essay Question 2

 Scoring Guidelines

 Student Samples

 Scoring Commentary

AP® European History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

Question 2: Long Essay Question, Reformation Change 6 points

General Scoring Notes

• Except where otherwise noted, each point of these rubrics is earned independently; for example, a student could earn a point for evidence

without earning a point for thesis/claim.

• Accuracy: The components of these rubrics require that students demonstrate historically defensible content knowledge. Given the timed nature

of the exam, essays may contain errors that do not detract from their overall quality, as long as the historical content used to advance the

argument is accurate.

• Clarity: Exam essays should be considered first drafts and thus may contain grammatical errors. Those errors will not be counted against a student

unless they obscure the successful demonstration of the content knowledge, skills, and practices described below.

Evaluate the most significant political or social change during the Reformation period (1517–1650).

AP® European History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

Reporting

Category

Scoring Criteria

Row A

Thesis/Claim

(0-1 points)

0 points

Does not meet the criteria for one point.

1 point

Responds to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis/claim that establishes a line of

reasoning.

Decision Rules and Scoring Notes

Responses that do not earn this point:

• Are not historically defensible.

• Only restate or rephrase the prompt.

• Do not respond to the prompt.

• Do not establish a line of reasoning.

• Are overgeneralized.

Responses that earn this point:

Provide a historically defensible thesis or claim about the most significant political or social

change in the Reformation. The thesis must suggest at least one main line of argument

development or establish the analytic categories of the argument.

Examples that do not earn this point:

Do not focus on the topic of the prompt

• “The most significant change in the Reformation era was the

expansion of trade with Asia and the Americas.”

Do not provide a historically defensible claim

• “The most significant change in the Reformation was the belief

in the supreme authority of the Pope in political matters.”

Provide a historically defensible claim, but do not establish a line

of reasoning

• “The Reformation marked a major change in the political and

social structure of European society.”

Restate the prompt or are overgeneralized

• “The Reformation was a time of significant continuity, as much

remained the same in spite of significant change.”

• “The continuities in the Reformation are more significant than

the changes.”

Examples that earn this point:

Establish a line of reasoning that evaluates the topic of the prompt

• “The most significant political change in the Reformation was that rulers attempted to use

Protestantism as a means of gaining or keeping political power.”

Establish a line of reasoning that evaluates the topic of the prompt with analytic categories

• “The most significant social and political change in the Reformation was the challenging of

traditional hierarchies, as peasants and other marginalized people used Protestant

challenges to papal authority as a reason to challenge political and social authority.”

Establish a line of reasoning

• “The most significant change in the Reformation was the pope’s loss of political authority.”

(Minimally acceptable thesis/claim)

Additional Notes:

• The thesis or claim must consist of one or more sentences located in one place, either in the introduction or the conclusion (which may not be limited to the first

or last paragraphs).

• The thesis or claim must identify a relevant development(s) in the period, although it is not required to encompass the entire period.

AP® European History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

Reporting

Category

Scoring Criteria

Row B

Contextualization

(0-1 points)

0 points

Does not meet the criteria for one point.

1 point

Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt.

Decision Rules and Scoring Notes

Responses that do not earn this point:

• Provide an overgeneralized statement about the time period

referenced in the prompt.

• Provide context that is not relevant to the prompt.

• Provide a passing phase or reference.

Responses that earn this point:

Accurately describe a context relevant to the most significant political or social change in the

Reformation.

Examples that do not earn this point:

Provide an overly generalized attempt at contextualization

• “There were numerous reasons for religious discontent at the

start of the 1500s.”

• “Heretics were treated harshly by the Catholic Church.”

Provide a passing phrase or reference

• “Church officials were corrupt.”

Examples of relevant context that earn this point include the following, if appropriate

elaboration is provided:

• Growing literacy and availability of printed materials

• The rise of new monarchies / centralizing states

• The growth of humanism during the Renaissance

• Spread of Christian humanism

• Specific examples of corruption in the Catholic Church (indulgences/simony/etc.)

• Prior religious wars (Crusades/Ottoman wars/etc.)

• Prior movements that challenged church authority (Jan Hus/Lollards/etc.)

Examples of acceptable contextualization:

• “Prior to the Reformation, the development of the printing press allowed for cheaper

prints of religious materials, such as translated Bibles, to make their way into the hands

of more Europeans.”

• “The Christian humanists, such as Erasmus, offered critiques of Catholic Church practices

that in many ways helped pave the way for Martin Luther and his 95 theses.”

• “Prior to the Reformation, Catholic Church practices had come to be seen as increasingly

corrupt.” (Minimally acceptable contextualization)

Additional Notes:

• The response must relate the topic of the prompt to broader historical events, developments, or processes that occur before, during, or continue after the

time frame of the question.

• To earn this point, the context provided must be more than a phrase or reference.

AP® European History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

Reporting

Category

Scoring Criteria

Row C

Evidence

(0-2 points)

0 points

Does not meet the criteria for one

point.

1 point

Provides specific examples of evidence relevant to the topic

of the prompt.

2 points

Supports an argument in response to the prompt using

specific and relevant examples of evidence.

Decision Rules and Scoring Notes

Responses that do not earn points:

• Identify a single piece of evidence.

• Provide evidence that is not

relevant to the topic of prompt.

• Provide evidence that is outside the

time period or region specified in

the prompt.

• Repeat information that is specified

in the prompt.

Responses that earn 1 point:

Identify at least two specific historical examples relevant to

the topic of the most significant political or social change in

the Reformation.

Responses that earn 2 points:

Use at least two specific historical examples to support

an argument regarding the most significant political or

social change in the Reformation.

Examples of evidence that are specific and relevant include

the following (two examples required):

• Luther’s critiques of the Church

• The various offshoots of Protestantism

• The wars of religion

• Henry VIII’s break with the Catholic Church

• The Catholic Reformations

• The Council of Trent

• The spread of peasant revolts in Europe

• Habsburg efforts to unite Europe

• Missionary efforts in the Americas and Asia

Example of a statement that earns one point for evidence:

• “Authorities violently suppressed peasant revolts, which

were in part inspired by Luther’s challenge to Church

authority. However, Luther himself condemned the

German peasant rebellions, and did not wish to see the

social order overturned in the way the peasant rebels

wished.” (Provides two specific pieces of historical

evidence relevant to the prompt—Luther's challenge to

Church authority and condemnation of the peasants’

revolt)

Examples that successfully support an argument with

evidence:

• “The Church recognized the need to respond to

Luther and the rise of Protestantism, and it did so in

two ways: reforming itself through the Council of

Trent, and encouraging Catholic Kings and princes

to violently suppress Protestantism, helping fuel the

Wars of Religion that went on through the 1500s

and only ended in 1648.” (Functions as part of an

argument that Catholic reforms were a change

during the Reformation period)

• “Many political authorities saw the Reformation

and the weakening of papal authority as a chance

to expand their own authority. For example, Henry

VIII, who had been honored by the pope as a

defender of the Catholic faith, broke with the

Church to create the Church of England when the

pope would not agree to allow Henry VIII to divorce

his wife.” (Presents a topic sentence making a

general statement about the political authorities

taking advantage of the Reformation followed by

two specific examples)

• “Habsburg rulers saw themselves as defenders of

the Christian faith, both against internal enemies

such as the Protestants, but also against the threat

of the Muslim Ottomans. Despite their efforts, the

Ottomans continued to expand and Protestant

states such as England and the Dutch Republic

defeated Habsburg attempts to reimpose

Catholicism on them.” (Presents evidence about the

Habsburgs and links it to an argument about

changes in the period)

Examples that do not earn points:

Provide evidence that is outside the

time period

• “The French Revolution attempted

to abolish Christianity altogether

during the radical Jacobin phase.”

AP® European History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

Additional Notes:

• Typically, statements credited as evidence will be more specific than statements credited as contextualization.

• If a response has a multipart argument, then it can meet the threshold of two pieces of evidence by giving one example for one part of the argument and

another example for a different part of the argument, but the total number of examples must still be at least two.

Reporting

Category

Scoring Criteria

Row D

Analysis and

Reasoning

(0-2 points)

0 points

Does not meet the criteria

for one point.

1 point

Uses historical reasoning (e.g., comparison, causation,

continuity, and change) to frame or structure an argument

that addresses the prompt.

2 points

Demonstrates a complex understanding of the historical

development that is the focus of the prompt, using evidence to

corroborate, qualify, or modify an argument that addresses the

question.

Decision Rules and Scoring Notes

Responses that do not

earn points:

• May include evidence

but offer no reasoning

to connect the

evidence to an

argument.

• May assert the use of

historical reasoning

but do not use it to

frame or structure an

argument.

Responses that earn 1 point:

Must demonstrate the use of historical reasoning to frame or

structure an argument for the most significant political or

social continuity in the Reformation, although the reasoning

may be uneven, limited, or imbalanced.

Responses that earn 2 points:

May demonstrate a complex understanding in a variety of ways, such

as:

• Explaining the nuance of an issue by analyzing multiple variables.

• Explaining both similarity and difference, or explaining both

continuity and change, or explaining multiple causes, or

explaining both causes and effects.

• Explaining relevant and insightful connections within and across

periods.

• Confirming the validity of an argument by corroborating multiple

perspectives across themes.

• Qualifying or modifying an argument by considering diverse or

alternative views or evidence.

AP® European History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

Examples that do not

earn points:

Provide evidence but

offer no reasoning to

connect the evidence to

an argument

• “The Jesuit order was

established to counter

the Protestants and

spread Catholicism

abroad.”

• “Henri IV was willing

to revert to

Catholicism to bring

an end to the French

civil wars.”

Using a historical thinking skill to frame or structure an

argument could include:

• Using continuity and change over time reasoning to

explain the most significant political or social change in

the Reformation

• Structuring an argument thematically to highlight changes

in different geographical areas of Europe, such as the lack

of Protestant success in southern Europe compared to

northern Europe.

• Arranging an argument to recount developments over the

course of the period showing change over time across

Europe.

Example of acceptable use of historical reasoning:

• “Eventually, Europeans were permitted to practice their

faith privately which is a major social change from before

the reformation when Europeans were mandated to go to

Church, support a certain religion, and obey the religious

ideals of their absolutist leader.” (Structure of response

demonstrates change over time)

Demonstrating complex understanding might include any of the

following, if appropriate elaboration is provided:

• Explaining differences in the changes in the Reformation era in

different areas of Europe. (Provides insightful connections within

and across periods)

• Explaining the interactions between continuities and changes

during the Reformation era. (Explains nuance, multiple variables.)

• Evaluating whether the continuities in the Reformation were

more significant than the changes. (Qualifies or modifies an

argument)

• Considering both political and social changes during the

Reformation. (Confirms the validity of an argument by

corroborating multiple perspectives across themes)

Additional Notes:

This demonstration of complex understanding must be part of the argument, not merely a phrase or reference.

Aided by the invention of the printing press in 1453, Martin Luther initiated the Protestant Reformation in 1517

through his posting of the 95 Theses, criticizing the use of indulgences and abuses of the clergy. The spread of

vernacular languages increased literacy among Europeans, developing new religious movements such as Calvinism

that focused on the true word of God, transitioning away from the importance of the Church. Exploration during this

time period also greatly increased, aiding in the growth of new monarchies and spread of the Jesuit faith. The most

significant political change that resulted from the Protestant and Catholic Reformation was increased centralization

of power and politque behavior as seemingly religious conflicts developed into conflicts over personal motivations

of involved countries. For many countries, this contributed to the decline of Church authority on political decisions,

however, religious groups such as the Jesuits continued to subjugate colonies to their faith as missionaries.

The Church began to lose power over European countries due to monarchies, who throughout the Reformation

period, demonstrated tendencies of new monarchs. They centralized their power and reformed their tax systems as

means to increase the superiority of their leadership. This is best exemplified in the rule of Henry VIII.

Disagreements between the Church and Henry VIII's request for a nullified marriage between him and his wife

increased animosity between the two powers. In 1534, he approved the Act of Supremacy, which subsequently

assigned him as head of the Anglican Church. He also dissolved many of the lands of the Church, demonstrating the

decline in power of the Church over political affairs. Families such as the Medici family also replaced the Church as

the sole patron of the arts and loans, gaining extensive political power over European states due to their immense

wealth, displacing the reliance on Church support. Copernicus' introduction of the helio-centric theory in 1543,

denounced the traditional beliefs of the Church, further discrediting their authority.

Throughout the Reformation period, political leaders began to emphasize politque values. Politque behavior, which

can be defined as a leader that puts the stability of their country over their own personal beliefs and concerns, can be

synthesized in a single ruler, Henry de Navarre. During the French wars of religion, beginning as a conflict between

the two families of Bourbon and Valois descendancy, culminated in the War of the Three Henries. Henry de Navarre

was considered victorious. Previously Protestant, he converted to Catholicism, stating that "Paris is worth a mass,"

and creating the Edict of Nantes in 1598 that granted religious toleration to Huguenots in some areas of France.

Elizabeth I also demonstrated these beliefs as factions of Protestant and Catholicism grew during her reign through

her development of the Book of Common Prayer that remained vague enough that it could be applied to multiple

religions, and general application of religious toleration. The Thirty Years War can also be applied to a war that

began as a religous conflict, however, shifted into a conflict that prioritized the personal motivations of involved

states. Beginning with the Defenstration of Prague that symbolized Bohemian discontent with Catholic Ferdinand II,

who betrayed his promise to the Bohemian nobles of religious tolerance, the war began as a religious conflict.

However, over the course of the war, involved states chased their personal goals. In 1648, the Peace of Westphalia

ended the religious wars, dissolving the power of the Holy Roman Empire, and ending political conflicts over the

basis of disagreements of religion.

The Reformation period saw an increase in rulers who utilized their centralized power to assert stability within

their country, oftentimes neglecting the opinion and authority of the Church. In an attempt to reestablish some sort

of credibility following the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Reformation created the Council of Trent that

reformed the clergy and formed new religious orders such as the Jesuits to increase believers in foreign lands. The

Church continued to play a large role in the artwork of this time period as they often patronized artists such as

Carvaggio, stimulating the development of Baroque art. Additionally, the social development of the "Protestant

work ethic," emphasizing delayed gratification and hard work will later play a role in the development of capitalism.

1 of 1 2A

Before the Reformation, people relied heavily on the Church not only for religious reasons, but also for political

reasons. The Church played a significant role in the daily lives of the people, and over time, noticing their influence,

they began to abuse that power. The reformation occurred when people like Martin Luther began to notice the abuse

of power. The most significant political change of this time was therefore the decrease in power of church authority.

Before the Reformation occurred the church had begun to sell indulgences for people to buy so that they could be

saved, or even to save family members who had already died. Lets keep in mind that at this time only the highest

members of the Church were able to read and interpret the Bible, so their control over the common people was very

great. Being scared that they would go to purgatory if they did not buy these indulgences, the common people gave a

lot of their money to the church, easily falling in their captivating hands. But some people were able to notice what

the church was doing, including Martin Luther. Due to the newly invented printing press Martin Luther posted his

95 theses on the Church door calling for Reformation. From here, things took a turn.

In thanks to the printing press, Bibles were beginning to be printed and became accessible to the common people.

This lead to a change in the way people practiced religion. Turning away from the church, many people began to

practice their religion from the comfort of their own homes. In addition, because of Luther's call for Reformation,

people began to turn away from the church and their previous beliefs. Many people began to turn towards a newly

found Protestantism. Protestants did not believe that you could buy your way to salvation, but rather you had to get

there on your own through acts of service and good deeds.

The change in attitude towards the Church caused a decrease in the power and authority of the Church. Which

changed the way things were run, and a new government was formed.

1 of 1 2B

The Reformation was a time where ideas regarding religion would differ from the original, traditional teachings

of the Church. The spread of new ideas would cause conflict among the people. During this time, people were very

passionate about their religious beliefs, for many years Christainity was not just a faith but a moral way of life. The

discovery of new religions would create significant political and social changes that would affect the world to this

day. The start of the Reformation would be when a new branch of Christianity was discovered, Protestantism. A

well known Protestant figure would be Martin Luther. Martin Luther had a huge impact on the Reformation. He

originally was apart of the Church, he was one of the first to openly speak out about his new religious ideas,

however, he was then kicked out of the church for sharing said beliefs that went against the Church teachings.

Martin Luther decided to write a document called The 95 Thesis in which he shared his ideas and criticized the

teachings of the church. He decided to then post The 95 thesis on the doors of the church for the public to see,

further spreading the ideas of Protestants. He would inspire others with his own teachings, allowing more people to

follow the Protestant faith. During this time period, The Church had a huge effect on life politically, this would

cause major conflict as now that the people were going against the Church there would also be forceful changes

made to politics during this time. The usefulness of the printing press would also have a huge impact on the

Reformation, now individuals were able to share their ideas further throughout Europe, allowing the Reformation to

grow and have a bigger impact on European life, changing life socially. New branches would then stem off of

Protestantism, such as Calvinism, created by the religious figure Calvin. Although, the ideas of Protestantsim and

Calvinsim were similar, both Martin Luther and Calvin disagreed with one another. Although new religious ideas

would continue to come about, this did not stop religious conflict, in fact, The Thirty Years war would come out of

this. This was a gruesome war between Protestants and Catholics fighting for their religious power. It is also argued

that this was a war over political power, more so than religious power. Individuals like Martin Luther and Calvin

would gain "followers" who believed in the religion they taught, allowing them to have some type of power due to

their following. This would effect political and social life greatley. Today, there are many diffrent religions, the

creation and spread of a lot of religious ideas were a significant outcome of the Reformation. Therefore, The

Reformation period would create social and political changes that would continue to be significant to this day.

1 of 1 2C

European History 2023 Scoring Commentary

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Long Essay Question 2

Note: Student samples are quoted verbatim and may contain spelling and grammatical errors.

Overview

The Long Essay Question (LEQ) asks students to formulate a thesis/argument in response to a

prompt about a particular historical development or episode in European history. In 2023 each LEQ

asked students to evaluate the most significant change during a specified era in European history.

LEQs require students to formulate arguments, utilize evidence, address historical context, and

display an ability to employ historical reasoning skills. In the case of LEQ 2, responses were

expected to demonstrate historical reasoning, specifically analyzing the most significant political or

social change during the Reformation period (1517-1650). Responses were expected to relate the

topic of the prompt to the broader historical events, developments, or processes that occurred before,

during, or after the time frame specified in the prompt. Responses were expected to provide specific

examples of evidence relevant to the topic of political or social change that occurred during the

Reformation and to use this evidence to support an argument in response to the prompt.

Responses were expected to provide a thesis that identified the most significant political or social

change during the Reformation and then establish a clear line of reasoning that explained how or

why that change was the most significant, delineated analytic categories from which to evaluate that

change, or provided explanation of how the change manifested itself across place and time.

Responses were expected to situate the argument within a specific historical context; this could be

earned by highlighting how events or developments prior to the 16

century influenced the changes

during the period in question by explaining the connection to broader historical developments of

processes that occurred during the period, or by demonstrating that the change in question

continued into subsequent eras.

Responses were to identify two specific pieces of concrete evidence from the Reformation period

relevant to the claim of the most significant political or social change during the period and then use

those pieces of evidence to support an argument that explains why the particular change was the

most significant. Responses subsequently were expected to use change over time reasoning to

demonstrate how the change evolved, to structure an argument to demonstrate how the change

impacted two or more different geographical areas, or to consider both the political and social

aspects of the change, explaining relevant and insightful connections within and across time

periods. Responses also were expected to demonstrate complex understanding of the historical

development of the Reformation and the political and social changes it occasioned.

European History 2023 Scoring Commentary

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Long Essay Question 2 (continued)

Sample: 2A

Score: 6

Thesis: 1

Contextualization: 1

Evidence: 2

Analysis and Reasoning: 2

A. Thesis/Claim (0–1 points): 1

The response earned 1 point for thesis in the first paragraph by identifying the “centralization of

power and politique behavior” as the most significant political change resulting from the

Reformation.

B. Contextualization (0–1 points): 1

The response earned 1 point for contextualization in the first paragraph by citing the invention of the

printing press, the spread of vernacular languages, and the increase in literacy as conditions for the

loss of Catholic Church authority and the rise of new monarchical power.

C. Evidence (0–2 points): 2

Providing Specific Examples of Evidence

The response earned 1 point for using multiple pieces of specific and relevant evidence throughout

the second (Henry VIII and Act of Supremacy) and third (Henry of Navarre, Edict of Nantes,

Huguenots, et al.) paragraphs.

Using Specific Evidence in Support of a Relevant Argument

The response earned 1 point for using evidence in support of an argument by providing evidence in

every paragraph to support arguments about the decline in Church authority over political affairs.

D. Analysis and Reasoning (0–2 points): 2

Using Historical Reasoning

The response earned 1 point for using historical reasoning to establish a causal argument linking

Luther’s religious challenge to Catholic Church authority to the challenges that were increasingly

political in nature.

Demonstrating Complex Understanding

The response earned 1 point for demonstrating understanding because it successfully draws

parallels across multiple nations in Europe (England, France, and Holy Roman Empire) and the ways

in which political considerations increasingly complicated ostensibly religious conflicts. The

response also confirms the validity of the argument by citing examples from other themes

(Copernicus and the heliocentric theory, the Protestant work ethic and the subsequent development

of capitalism, and the connection between Baroque Art and the Catholic Reformation).

European History 2023 Scoring Commentary

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Long Essay Question 2 (continued)

Sample: 2B

Score: 4

Thesis: 1

Contextualization: 1

Evidence: 1

Analysis and Reasoning: 1

A. Thesis/Claim (0–1 points): 1

he response earned 1 point for thesis because it establishes a claim that the most significant

political change during the Reformation was the “decrease in power of church authority.”

B. Contextualization (0–1 points): 1

The response earned 1 point for contextualization in the first paragraph because of its discussion of

the omnipresent role of the Church in people’s lives prior to the Reformation. There is also an

additional reference to the printing press in the third paragraph.

C. Evidence (0–2 points): 1

Providing Specific Examples of Evidence

The response earned 1 point for evidence, using specific and relevant examples in the second

paragraph (indulgences, Luther, and the 95 Theses).

sing Specific Evidence in Support of a Relevant Argument

The response did not earn a point because the specific evidence provided in the second paragraph is

not connected to an argument about political or social change.

D. An

alysis and Reasoning (0–2 points): 1

sing Historical Reasoning

The response earned 1 point for using historical reasoning by setting up a causal relationship

between Luther’s critique of the Church’s abuse of power and its subsequent loss of power.

emonstrating Complex Understanding

The response did not earn a point for complex understanding because there is no corroboration,

qualification, or modification of the argument.

European History 2023 Scoring Commentary

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Long Essay Question 2 (continued)

Sample: 2C

Score: 2

Thesis: 0

Contextualization: 1

Evidence: 1

Analysis and Reasoning: 0

A. Thesis/Claim (0–1 points): 0

The response did not earn a point for thesis because it makes no attempt to address the terms of the

prompt (most significant change during the Reformation period).

B. Contextualization (0–1 points): 1

The response earned 1 point for contextualization by contrasting the Reformation with the prior

period of Church hegemony. The reference to the printing press also contributes to establishing

context for the period.

C. Evidence (0–2 points): 1

Providing Specific Examples of Evidence

The response earned 1 point for evidence by providing multiple relevant pieces of evidence (Luther,

95 Theses, Calvin, and the Thirty Years’ War).

Using Specific Evidence in Support of a Relevant Argument

The response did not earn a point for using specific evidence in support of an argument because it

does not sustain a single argument throughout the paragraph.

D. Analysis and Reasoning (0–2 points): 0

Using Historical Reasoning

The response did not earn a point for using historical reasoning because, while it does assert

historical reasoning, it is not used to structure an argument within the paragraph provided.

Demonstrating Complex Understanding

The response did not earn a point for complex understanding because no discernible attempt

is made.