Practice a College Board-style Short Answer Question on 19th-Century Perspectives and Political Developments. Write your response, then reveal the model answer to see exactly what earns each point.
Short Answer Question · Unit 7 · 19th-Century Perspectives and Political Developments
"Prussia must collect her forces and hold them ready for a favorable moment, which has already slipped by several times. Prussia's borders according to the Vienna treaties are not favorable to a healthy state life... It is not through speeches and majority resolutions that the great issues of the day will be decided — that can only be done through iron and blood."
Otto von Bismarck, speech to the Prussian Chamber of Deputies' Budget Committee, 1862 (the "Blood and Iron" speech)
A
Using the excerpt, identify ONE specific claim Bismarck makes about how Germany's "great issues" will be resolved.
✓ Model answer (earns the point)
Bismarck claims that Germany's great political questions will be decided not by "speeches and majority resolutions" — that is, not through parliamentary debate or idealistic nationalism — but through "iron and blood," meaning military force and hard power.
Why it scores: Identifies a specific claim from the text (the rejection of speeches/majorities in favor of "iron and blood") rather than a vague statement like "Bismarck wanted unification."
B
Explain ONE specific historical development that supports the claims made in the excerpt.
✓ Model answer (earns the point)
The Franco-Prussian War (1870–71), which Bismarck provoked and Prussia decisively won, directly supports his claim — the war united the German states behind Prussia through military force, not negotiation, and led directly to the proclamation of the German Empire under Wilhelm I.
Why it scores: Names a specific historical development (the Franco-Prussian War, or another of Bismarck's wars) and explains specifically how it supports the excerpt's claim about achieving unification through force, rather than vaguely stating "Germany unified."
C
Explain ONE way that a development NOT explicitly mentioned in the excerpt also reflects the broader political tensions of 19th-century Europe described in this unit.
✓ Model answer (earns the point)
The Revolutions of 1848 reflected the same underlying tension between idealistic nationalism and the realities of power — liberal and nationalist revolutionaries across Europe demanded constitutional government and national unity through popular uprising, but were ultimately crushed, showing that — unlike Bismarck's later realpolitik — idealistic methods alone could not achieve unification.
Why it scores: Names a specific development not in the excerpt (the Revolutions of 1848, the Eastern Question, or Italian unification) and explains specifically how it connects to the broader tension between idealism and pragmatic power politics, rather than just asserting "there were other revolutions too."
How to score points on AP European History SAQs
Answer exactly what's asked. "Identify" needs a name or fact only. "Explain" needs a claim PLUS supporting reasoning — don't skip the "why" or "how."
Use the stimulus, but don't just summarize it. Strong SAQ responses connect the source to outside historical knowledge, not just restate what the excerpt says.
Be specific, not general. Name specific developments and figures (the Franco-Prussian War, the Revolutions of 1848, Cavour and Garibaldi) rather than vague references to "Europe changing" or "nationalism happening."
Keep each part short and focused. 2–3 sentences per part is usually enough — SAQs reward precision over length.
Connect cause to effect. Don't just describe a development; explain why it mattered or how it connects to the question's claim.