Question 1

Which of the following is the primary goal of an American political party?

Accepted Answer

The primary goal of an American political party is to get its candidates elected to office by winning elections. While the other options may be secondary goals, winning elections is the main priority of a political party.

Question 2

What is at the top of the party organization with its members chosen by each state party organization?

Accepted Answer

National committees are at the top of the party organization and members of these committees are chosen by each state party organization. The other options listed are different types of party groups, but do not hold as much power as the national committee.

Question 3

Which of the following lays out the party's core beliefs and policy proposals?

Accepted Answer

The party platform typically lays out the party's core beliefs and policy proposals. The other options listed may also be used to communicate a party's goals and agenda, but the platform is the most specific to a party's principles and policies.

Question 4

Which of the following is a group of individuals who join together to choose candidates for elected office, whether by informal group voting or a formal nominating process?

Accepted Answer

Political parties are the groups of individuals who join together to choose candidates for elected office, whether by informal group voting or a formal nominating process. Interest groups, labor unions, lobbies, and special interests might support candidates, but they do not choose the candidates themselves.

Question 5

Political parties used the patronage system as a way to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Political parties used the patronage system as a way to build party loyalty. By rewarding loyal supporters with government jobs, contracts, and other benefits, parties were able to ensure that their supporters remained loyal and motivated to work hard for the party's success.

Question 6

The four most important functions of a political party are structuring the voting choice in elections, proposing alternative government programs, coordinating the actions of government officials, and which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Nominating candidates for election to public office is one of the most important functions of a political party as it allows the party to put forward candidates who they believe best represent their values and policies.

Question 7

A centralized organization that dominated local politics by controlling elections, sometimes by illegal means, is known as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A party machine is a centralized organization that dominates local politics by controlling elections, sometimes by illegal means.

Question 8

Why was the presidential election of 1912 unique?

Accepted Answer

The presidential election of 1912 was unique because there were three significant contenders for the presidency: incumbent President William Howard Taft running for the Republican Party, former President Theodore Roosevelt running for the Progressive Party (also known as the Bull Moose Party), and Woodrow Wilson running for the Democratic Party. This was the only time in U.S. history that a major third party candidate (Roosevelt) received more votes than one of the major party candidates (Taft).

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the populist movement, which supported inflation to reduce the value of outstanding debts?

Accepted Answer

The populist movement was formed to champion the interests of small farmers who were struggling with debt and low crop prices. They believed that inflation would help to reduce the value of their outstanding debts and increase the prices they could receive for their crops. While the movement did have some support from urban working-class voters, its primary focus was on rural issues. The populist movement was not able to decisively alter national government policies, although it did have some influence on the broader political discourse of the time.

Question 10

Which of the following describes the formation of the modern Republican Party?

Accepted Answer

The modern Republican Party was formed from a coalition of antislavery factions in the mid 1850s, in opposition to the expansion of slavery in the United States.

Question 11

At each national convention, a political party drafts what document that outlines the party's policies, positions, and principles?

Accepted Answer

The platform is the document that outlines the party's policies, positions, and principles at each national convention.

Question 12

What most distinguishes political parties from interest groups like the AFL-CIO and the National Association of Manufacturers?

Accepted Answer

Political parties nominate candidates to run as their representatives in elections, while interest groups do not. Interest groups focus on advocating for specific policy positions and representing the interests of their members, but they do not field candidates for office.

Question 13

A political party is a group of individuals who do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Political parties organize to win elections and operate the government. While parties may have designated leaders and ideological beliefs, they do not necessarily answer strictly to those leaders or agree on all policy issues. Parties also do not typically require members to pay monthly dues to an ideological organization. The ultimate goal of a political party is to gain power and use that power to enact their policies and goals.

Question 14

The first partisan political division in the United States was between which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The first partisan political division in the United States was between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. The Federalists favored a strong central government and a Constitution that gave broad powers to the federal government, while the Anti-Federalists were concerned about a powerful central government and believed that individual rights and state sovereignty should be protected. This division ultimately led to the drafting and ratification of the Bill of Rights.

Question 15

The main purpose of a political party is to do which of the following in order to control government and implement its policies?

Accepted Answer

Winning elections is the ultimate goal of a political party because it allows the party to control the government and implement its policies. While the other options may also be important for a political party, they ultimately serve this larger goal of winning elections.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the system of patronage?

Accepted Answer

The system of patronage rewarded political party loyalists with government jobs and contracts. It was a common practice at all levels of government, from national to local, and continued until the passage of civil service reform in the late 19th century.

Question 17

The task of planning the next campaign and convention, obtaining financial contributions, and publicizing the national party belongs to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The national chairperson is responsible for planning the next campaign and convention, obtaining financial contributions, and publicizing the national party. The other options either have jurisdiction over a smaller area (state chairperson, state committee, local delegation) or a specific role (presidential nominee).

Question 18

Which of the following best describes George Washington's views on political parties?

Accepted Answer

George Washington believed that political parties were a threat to national unity and popular government. In his Farewell Address, he warned against the dangers of factionalism and urged Americans to prioritize the common good over partisan interests.

Question 19

The first political parties in the United States, the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, had opposing views related to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Federalists believed in a strong centralized government with more power in the hands of the national government, while the Anti-Federalists believed in more power for the states and a weaker national government. The other options were not major points of contention between the two parties at the time.

Question 20

Which of the following is the lowest layer of official party machinery?

Accepted Answer

The lowest layer of official party machinery is the local organization supported by district leaders, precinct or ward captains, and party workers. This is the ground level of the party infrastructure and where most of the grassroots work is done. The state and national levels may provide support and guidance, but the local level is where the real organizing and activism takes place.

Quiz 8: Political Parties