AP European History Practice Exam 2025 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

A central theme of humanist thought during the Renaissance was the potential for individuals to shape their own destinies through reason. Humanism emphasized the value of human experience and the capacity for self-determination, encouraging a focus on education, personal potential, and critical thinking. This shift marked a departure from medieval scholasticism, which often prioritized religious doctrine and communal beliefs over individual inquiry and agency.

Renaissance humanists studied classical texts, which fostered a belief in the improvement of society through education and the cultivation of personal virtue. This perspective helped to inspire advancements in art, science, and philosophy, reflecting a view of humanity as capable of great achievements when guided by reason and intellect.