Advanced Placement (AP) World History Practice Exam

The correct answer is Ethiopia, as this region experienced significant changes during the period from 750 to 1450 that affected Muslim political control. Initially, parts of Ethiopia were influenced by the expansion of Islam and the rise of Muslim states. However, during this timeframe, the region saw a consolidation of Christian kingdoms, most notably the rise of the Kingdom of Aksum, which resisted Muslim control and maintained its own authority.

Ethiopia's geographical location and cultural identity contributed to a unique resistance against external forces, including Muslim invasions. This allowed the Ethiopian Christian kingdoms to maintain a significant degree of autonomy, further reducing the extent of Muslim political power in comparison to other regions where Islamic empires established more enduring control.

In contrast, areas such as South Asia and the Iberian Peninsula (Spain) faced different dynamics. In South Asia, Muslim rulers, particularly the Delhi Sultanate, continued to exert considerable influence throughout this period. In Spain, although there were fluctuations in Muslim control, the Reconquista ultimately led to the establishment of Christian rule over formerly Muslim territories, but this was not a consistent reduction over the entire period. Anatolia, likewise, saw shifts in power but was predominantly influenced by the rise of the Ottoman Empire, which solidified Muslim rule