Question 1

From the end of the Civil War to the 1890s,the ______ Party was the party of the North,while the ______ Party was the party of the South.

Accepted Answer

After the Civil War, the Republican Party became the dominant party in the North, while the Democratic Party remained dominant in the South. This divide continued until the 1890s.

Question 2

In 1964,the Republican Party presidential nominee,______,espoused a number of ideas,such as less taxation and less government regulation of the economy,that became major themes for the modern Republican Party.

Accepted Answer

Barry Goldwater, a U.S. senator from Arizona, was the Republican Party presidential nominee in 1964. He ran on a platform of limited government, less taxation, and reduced government regulation of the economy. Goldwater's ideas were a precursor to the modern Republican Party's ideology.

Question 3

"Me too" Republicanism refers to:

Accepted Answer

"Me too" Republicanism refers to the tendency of some Republican politicians during the New Deal to support popular programs such as Social Security rather than advocate alternative policies. The phrase was coined by Senator Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan, who stated that Republicans should not simply oppose Democratic policies but also propose alternative solutions.

Question 4

The Populist Party appealed to which of the following groups?

Accepted Answer

The Populist Party was a political party that emerged in the late 19th century and appealed to western mining interests, small farmers, and urban workers. The party sought to promote economic reforms that would benefit these groups, such as the coinage of silver, the establishment of government-owned banks, and the regulation of railroads. The party was also known for its pro-labor stance and support for women's suffrage.

Question 5

Historically,realignments occur:

Accepted Answer

Realignments occur when new issues arise, often due to economic or political crises, that mobilize new voters and cause traditional partisan loyalties to be reexamined. This can result in a shift in the balance of power between political parties. It is not tied to specific time intervals, Congressional approval, or constitutional amendments.

Question 6

As a third-party candidate,Ross Perot captured approximately ______ percent of the popular vote in the 1992 presidential election.

Accepted Answer

Ross Perot received approximately 20% of the popular vote in the 1992 presidential election. This was a significant showing for a third-party candidate, although it was not enough to win any states or earn any electoral votes. Ultimately, Bill Clinton won the election with 43% of the popular vote, while incumbent President George H.W. Bush received 37.5% of the vote.

Question 7

Throughout American history,which of the following was NOT a common restriction the government placed on voting rights?

Accepted Answer

While occupational requirements may have affected certain individuals' ability to vote in certain contexts, they were not a common restriction on voting rights throughout American history. Racial restrictions, property requirements, residency requirements of long duration, and gender restrictions, on the other hand, have all been used at various points in history to restrict access to the ballot box.

Question 8

From 1896 to 1932,the ______ Party was the nation's majority party.

Accepted Answer

The answer of From 1896 to 1932,the ______ Party was...

Question 9

During the 1980s,under the leadership of Ronald Reagan,which two groups did the Republican Party add to their coalition?

Accepted Answer

During the 1980s, the Republican Party under the leadership of Ronald Reagan adopted a conservative platform that appealed to the religious conservatives and working-class whites, which were not traditionally part of their coalition. This coalition became known as the "Reagan Democrats."

Question 10

Between the Civil War and the 1960s,the ______ was a Democratic stronghold.

Accepted Answer

The South was a Democratic stronghold during this time period, largely due to the legacy of Reconstruction and the Democratic Party's identification as the party of white supremacy. The region remained largely Democratic until the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, when the party began to lose support among white Southern voters due to its advocacy for desegregation and civil rights for African Americans.

Question 11

Which of the following transpires when one party controls the presidency while another party controls one or both houses of Congress?

Accepted Answer

This situation is known as a divided government, where there is a split in party control between the executive and legislative branches of government. This can lead to challenges in passing legislation and implementing policies, as the two parties may have different priorities and goals.

Question 12

The program of Reconstruction after the Civil War was led by the ______ Party.

Accepted Answer

The program of Reconstruction after the Civil War was led by the Republican Party, specifically by Republican President Abraham Lincoln and his successor, Republican President Andrew Johnson. The Democrats, who had been the party of the Confederacy during the war, were largely excluded from participating in the Reconstruction process.

Question 13

What issue led to the demise of the Whig Party?

Accepted Answer

Slavery was a major issue that caused tensions within the Whig Party, with some members, such as Abraham Lincoln, opposing it and others supporting it. This division ultimately led to the demise of the party, with many members defecting to either the newly formed Republican Party or the Democratic Party.

Question 14

Which group was NOT a part of the New Deal coalition?

Accepted Answer

Business leaders were generally not in support of the New Deal and were not part of the New Deal coalition.

Question 15

During the late 1840s and early 1850s,both the Democratic and Whig parties were divided by:

Accepted Answer

During this time period, conflicts over slavery began to tear apart both the Democratic and Whig parties. The issue of whether or not to allow slavery in new territories and states was a major point of contention and led to the formation of new political parties, such as the Free Soil Party and eventually the Republican Party.

Question 16

When Richard Nixon employed his "southern strategy," he:

Accepted Answer

Nixon employed his "southern strategy" by appealing to disaffected white voters in the South, using racially-charged language and themes to win their support. This strategy was aimed at capturing the votes of white southern Democrats who were unhappy with their party's increasing support for civil rights and racial equality. Nixon's strategy helped to solidify the Republican Party's support among white conservatives in the South, and it has continued to shape the political landscape of the region ever since.

Question 17

The New Deal coalition was severely strained and ultimately broken apart by:

Accepted Answer

The Vietnam War and the issue of civil rights caused a split within the New Deal coalition. Many Democrats who had been part of the New Deal coalition were opposed to the Vietnam War and pushed for an end to the conflict. At the same time, the civil rights movement was gaining momentum, and many white working-class voters who had previously supported the Democratic Party began to shift their allegiance towards the Republican Party in response to the Democratic Party's embrace of civil rights. This led to a significant realignment in American politics, with the Democratic Party becoming increasingly identified with civil rights and social liberalism, and the Republican Party becoming the party of cultural conservatism and resistance to change.

Question 18

Which of the following was NOT a date of an electoral realignment?

Accepted Answer

None of the given options specifically apply to the year 1994. While there were important elections and shifts in political power during that year, it is not considered a significant electoral realignment in American political history. Therefore, E is the correct answer as it was NOT a date of an electoral realignment.

Question 19

Which of the following occurs when one party becomes dominant after replacing another party that has dominated national politics for a lengthy period of time?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an electoral realignment, which occurs when there is a significant shift in the political landscape and one party replaces another as the dominant force in national politics. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as changing demographics, shifts in ideology, or major events that reshape public opinion.

Question 20

Which of the following best indicated the downfall of the New Deal coalition?

Accepted Answer

Richard Nixon's election in 1968 marked the downfall of the New Deal coalition. Nixon was able to appeal to many traditionally Democratic voters, including working-class whites and southern conservatives, which weakened the Democratic Party's hold on these groups. This shift in political allegiance led to a realignment in American politics, with the Democratic Party losing its dominance in national elections.

Quiz 7: Political Parties,Participation,and Elections

From the end of the Civil War to the 1890s,the Party was the party of the North,while the Party was the party of the South.