Question 1

What was especially unique about the "Era of Good Feeling"?

Accepted Answer

The "Era of Good Feeling" is characterized by a lack of political opposition in the presidential election of 1820, where James Monroe ran unopposed for re-election. This lack of opposition led to a sense of national unity and optimism. While political parties still existed during this era, they were greatly weakened and did not play a significant role in shaping policy.

Question 2

Political parties serve to

Accepted Answer

All of the answers are correct. Political parties serve multiple functions, including connecting the public with elected officials, uniting individuals with differing opinions, providing choices for policies and leaders, and enabling potential leaders to run for office.

Question 3

________ warned Americans of the "baneful effects" of factions (political parties) in his 1797 farewell address.

Accepted Answer

George Washington warned Americans of the "baneful effects" of factions (political parties) in his 1797 farewell address.

Question 4

The election of ________ was a realigning election.

Accepted Answer

The election of 1932, which saw Franklin D. Roosevelt defeat Republican incumbent Herbert Hoover, is considered a realigning election because it marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the United States. The Democratic Party became associated with the New Deal policies of Roosevelt, and the Republican Party struggled to compete in national elections for decades to come.

Question 5

Democrats and Republicans have endured as the two major U.S. parties primarily due to

Accepted Answer

Both Democratic and Republican parties have adapted and evolved with changing times and issues, such as civil rights, social welfare programs, and foreign policy. This ability to adapt and accommodate new ideas and concerns has allowed them to remain the dominant party forces in American politics.

Question 6

Mitt Romney was the first ______ ever chosen as the presidential nominee of a major party.

Accepted Answer

Mitt Romney was the first Mormon ever chosen as the presidential nominee of a major party.

Question 7

The MOST obvious sign of the party realignment of recent decades has been the strong tendency of

Accepted Answer

The South, which traditionally voted Democratic, has shifted towards the Republican Party in recent decades. This shift is often attributed to the Republican Party's "Southern strategy" in the 1960s and 1970s, which appealed to conservative white voters who were disaffected with the Democratic Party's support for civil rights and racial integration. This realignment has been reflected in presidential elections, as well as in congressional and state-level races.

Question 8

Abraham Lincoln was first elected in 1860 with ________ percent of the popular vote.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Abraham Lincoln was first elected in 1860...

Question 9

The 2012 Republican Party platform included all of the following, EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The 2012 Republican Party platform did not include cuts in military spending. Instead, it called for strengthening the military and increasing defense spending.

Question 10

The most recent party realignment had a realigning election in

Accepted Answer

The most recent party realignment had no single realigning election. While there have been shifts in the political landscape, such as the rise of the Tea Party movement and the changing demographics of the electorate, there has not been a definitive election that marks a clear shift in party alignment. Realignment is a gradual process that can take years or even decades to fully occur.

Question 11

The history of democratic government is virtually synonymous with the history of

Accepted Answer

The answer of The history of democratic government is virtually...

Question 12

Andrew Jackson's contribution to the development of political parties was the

Accepted Answer

Andrew Jackson's contribution to the development of political parties was the formation of a new type of grassroots party organization. He helped create the Democratic Party, which was based on expanding suffrage to white males and creating a strong party organization that would appeal to the common people. This model of a centralized party organization, led by a strong leader, became known as Jacksonian Democracy and was influential in the development of the modern political party system.

Question 13

Political parties in the United States originated partly as a political feud between

Accepted Answer

Political parties in the United States originated partly as a political feud between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Hamilton, as part of the Federalist Party, advocated for a strong central government and a national bank, while Jefferson, as part of the Democratic-Republican Party, favored states' rights and strict interpretation of the Constitution. This rivalry helped shape the two-party system that still exists in the United States today.

Question 14

The issue of slavery gave birth to the ________ party as a major political party.

Accepted Answer

The issue of slavery led to the formation of the Republican Party as a major political party in the United States. The Republican Party was formed in 1854 in opposition to the expansion of slavery into newly-formed Western states. Its founding members included former Whigs, Democrats, and Free-Soilers who were united in their opposition to slavery. The Republican Party eventually became the dominant political party in the US with the election of Abraham Lincoln as president in 1860.

Question 15

________ was the only Republican elected president from 1932 to 1964.

Accepted Answer

Dwight Eisenhower was the only Republican elected president from 1932 to 1964. Herbert Hoover was elected in 1928 and Richard Nixon was elected in 1968. Barry Goldwater was the Republican nominee but lost to Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. Calvin Coolidge was elected in 1924 and re-elected in 1928 but did not serve during the period specified in the question.

Question 16

All of the following are characteristic of a party realignment EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A very close electoral result is not necessarily a characteristic of a party realignment. While party realignments can occur after close elections, they can also occur after decisive victories. The other choices are all characteristic of party realignments.

Question 17

The first American political parties emerged from the conflict between

Accepted Answer

The conflict between those favoring small farmers and states' rights advocates and those favoring commercial and wealthy interests led to the emergence of the first American political parties. The Federalist Party represented the latter, while the Democratic-Republican Party represented the former. The issue of slavery did not become a significant factor in political party formation until later. The other options listed are not accurate factors in the formation of the first American political parties.

Question 18

The Democratic Party's long-time regional stronghold, "the Solid South," stemmed from a realignment during which historical period?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Democratic Party's long-time regional stronghold, "the...

Question 19

Organizationally, the U.S. major parties are

Accepted Answer

The answer of Organizationally, the U.S. major parties are
...

Question 20

The 2012 Democratic Party platform included all of the following, EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The 2012 Democratic Party platform did not include privatizing social security. It emphasized creating jobs, protecting Medicare, promoting clean energy, and raising taxes on the wealthy.

Quiz 8: Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voters Choice