Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

Which demographic development in the 1700s can be best explained by the overall increase of European wealth?

1. The decline of rural populations

2. The growth of urban commercial centers

3. The rise of feudalism

4. The stagnation of agricultural productivity

The correct answer is: The growth of urban commercial centers

The growth of urban commercial centers in the 1700s is best explained by the overall increase of European wealth, as this period marked significant economic changes driven by factors like colonial expansion, trade, and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. As wealth increased, more people moved to cities in search of better job opportunities and a higher standard of living, leading to urbanization. This shift was fueled by the growth of industries and markets in urban areas that emerged to support an expanding population and the increasing demand for goods. The rising middle class, comprising merchants and artisans, played a crucial role in this transformation, contributing to the dynamism of urban commercial centers that became hubs of economic activity. In contrast, other demographic developments such as the decline of rural populations do not completely capture the broader economic context of the period, nor do they highlight the crucial role that wealth played in shaping urban centers. The rise of feudalism is historically misplaced for the 1700s, as this period saw the decline of feudal structures rather than their growth. Stagnation of agricultural productivity might point to issues faced by rural areas, but it does not account for the vibrant urbanization that characterized the era of increasing European wealth and prosperity. Thus, the growing urban commercial centers