Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the religious revival of the late eighteenth century and Romanticism?

1. They both promoted Enlightenment empiricism

2. Both rejected Enlightenment beliefs that nature was knowable and predictable

3. They both embraced rationalism as a core belief

4. They sought to diminish emotional responses to faith

The correct answer is: Both rejected Enlightenment beliefs that nature was knowable and predictable

The late eighteenth-century religious revival and Romanticism shared a common rejection of Enlightenment beliefs that viewed nature as purely knowable and predictable. Both movements emerged as reactions against the rationalism and empirical approaches that characterized much of the Enlightenment. The religious revival emphasized personal faith, emotional experiences, and spirituality, often portraying a universe that transcended mere rational understanding. Similarly, Romanticism celebrated the irrational, the mysterious, and the emotional aspects of human experience, valuing subjective perceptions of nature and existence. This alignment highlights how both movements sought to restore depth and meaning to experience in a world increasingly dominated by reason and scientific inquiry. In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the relationship between the two movements. The first option incorrectly suggests that both promoted Enlightenment empiricism, which is not true as they both diverged from these ideas. The third option highlights rationalism as a core belief, again misrepresenting the purpose and principles of both movements. The fourth option claims they sought to diminish emotional responses to faith, while in fact, both movements embraced increased emotional engagement with faith and nature.