AP World History – Islam Practice Test 2026 - Free AP World History Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Hanseatic League was a medieval trading alliance of northern European cities, centered on North German and Scandinavian towns. It formed to protect trade, standardize commercial practices, and secure safe shipping across the Baltic and North Seas, with core members like Lübeck and Hamburg helping to lead the effort. This northern, German-and-Scandinavian focus is what defines the league, rather than Italian city-states, French communes, or English towns, which were part of different networks or operated under different affiliations. The emphasis on city membership in the Baltic and North Sea region explains why the correct description highlights North German and Scandinavian cities.