Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present
Western Civilization II covers European history from 1648 to the present, including the Enlightenment, the industrial and political revolutions, both world wars and postwar Europe. It typically completes a two-part civilisation requirement.
Start practice testAbout this exam
Twelve areas are sampled, running from absolutism through the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, the French and industrial revolutions, nationalism and imperialism, and the twentieth century wars.
The exam expects you to connect intellectual movements to political outcomes. Enlightenment ideas, for example, appear again in questions about revolution and reform.
The twentieth century carries substantial weight, so plan to spend more time there than on the seventeenth.
Topic breakdown
Topic weights published by College Board.
How to study for this exam
- Organise the material as a chain of causes: absolutism, Enlightenment, revolution, industry, nationalism, war.
- Learn the key treaties and what each settled, since they mark the boundaries between periods.
- Separate the two world wars clearly in your mind, including their causes and their settlements.
- Practise questions that give a quotation from a thinker and ask which movement it belongs to.
How the practice test works
- Choose all units or a single unit to focus on.
- Set the number of questions and a time limit, or practise untimed.
- Filter by difficulty to warm up or push yourself.
- Retake as many times as you like — every attempt is free.
- Your recent sessions stay on this device so you can review them.
Common questions
Should I take part one first?
It helps but is not required. The exams are independent, and many students sit only the half their college needs.
How much is about Britain and France?
A lot, but Germany, Russia and central Europe are well represented too, especially after 1850.
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