AP World History Practice Exam 2026 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The assertion about the Byzantine Empire using diplomacy to fend off the Mongols is historically accurate because the Byzantine Empire often relied on diplomatic strategies rather than purely military solutions to navigate threats, including those posed by the Mongols. In fact, during the Mongol incursions into Eastern Europe, various Byzantine rulers engaged in diplomatic negotiations to secure their territories and maintain peace, which indicates a nuanced understanding of geopolitical dynamics.

This approach allowed them to buy time and sometimes even form alliances, showcasing the importance of diplomacy in Byzantine foreign policy. In contrast, other options do not hold up as accurately when examined alongside the historical record. For instance, the Byzantine Empire was not short-lived like the Sui Dynasty, which was relatively brief, nor did it practice human sacrifice like the Aztecs. Additionally, while the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire are interconnected, their decline and fall occurred across a broader timeline, with the Western Roman Empire collapsing in the 5th century and the Byzantine Empire lasting until the mid-15th century. Thus, the choice emphasizing Byzantine diplomacy aligns more accurately with the historical context surrounding the Empire's interactions with the Mongols.