Deck 13: Political Parties and Voting

Question 1

As a result of the Federalist Party becoming virtually extinct after the election of 1820 _______________________.

A) ​Congress created a second party to compete with the Democratic-Republicans
B) ​the lack of competition caused a fragmenting within the Democratic-Republican Party
C) ​the Twelfth Amendment was passed to create another party
D) ​the Democratic-Republican Party unified to nominate a single candidate for president in 1824
E) ​every subsequent president until 1900 was a Democratic Republican

Answer 1

B

Question 2

In 1824, Andrew Jackson won the popular vote for president but did not receive enough electoral votes to win outright. The vote was constitutionally thrown to the U.S. House of Representatives, which chose John Quincy Adams, the "number two" candidate. This outcome was a catalyst for Jackson to __________________________________.

A) ​assume the office of president by force
B) ​run for a House of Representatives seat in the hopes of reforming the chamber
C) ​split from his party to create the new Democratic Party, and then win the 1828 election
D) ​fight for the remainder of his life for the abolition of political parties
E) ​fight for the abolition of the electoral college

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which term refers to a document, or official statement, that outlines the political party's position on important policy issues?

A) statute
B) party platform
C) amicus curiae
D) declaration of intent
E) preemptive legislation

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of the following is not an accurate comparison of American political parties to parties from most other democratic countries?

A) Compared to other countries, American parties are often ideologically vague.
B) American parties gravitate toward more centrist positions on issues.
C) Parties in most democracies are strong and well organized, whereas American parties tend to be weaker organizationally.
D) Compared to other countries, American parties have more clear distinctions based on social class, ethnic, or religious divisions.
E) Unlike some European counterparts, American parties cannot depend on unwavering support from their constituents.

Question 5

When first elected, President George Washington considered himself to be a member of which political party?

A) Tories
B) Whigs
C) Republicans
D) Democrats
E) He did not consider himself a member of a political party.

Question 6

Which of the following is considered a proper role of political parties?

A) The constitutional role of political parties is to balance control of the legislative and executive branches.
B) Political parties control the government, thereby keeping government power in check.
C) The major political parties play a central role in running government, including organizing and providing context to voters.
D) Political parties stir dissent so that citizens do not trust their government too much.
E) Effective political parties successfully eliminate competition.

Question 7

The 1792 election was the first presidential race following the initial election of George Washington as first president, during which Washington ran unopposed for a second term. Which of the following is true concerning this election?

A) Washington was the only candidate because he did not allow anyone to oppose him.
B) This was the last presidential election in which there was no political party competition.
C) It was later learned that Britain's king was supportive of Washington's candidacy.
D) Political parties were illegal during this time so no legitimate competition could be formulated.
E) It marked the beginning of a long era of the one-party system of government in the United States.

Question 8

What was the purpose of the Twelfth Amendment, ratified in 1804?

A) replace the electoral college with a national vote for the office of the president
B) separate the electoral college votes for president and vice president.
C) establish voting criteria for presidential elections
D) extend the right to vote to women
E) create a pay scale for the president and vice president.

Question 9

E. E. Schattschneider observed in1942 that __________________________.

A) "democracy is unthinkable save in terms of the parties."
B) "factions have a baneful effect."
C) "factions are tools of the politically ambitious that tend to promote corruption and bias in the political system."
D) "republic under God, rather than democracy."
E) "individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives [and] they have the right to live in whatever manner they choose so long as they do not interfere with the rights of others."

Question 10

The first election that featured party competition for the presidency was _________________.

A) 1788
B) 1796
C) 1860
D) 1912
E) 1960

Question 11

According to the "responsible party government" model, which of the following is not a role of political parties?

A) Offering clear programs and policy positions to voters.
B) Recruiting and nominating candidates, and working toward their victory in elections.
C) Working through elected party members to achieve programs and policies.
D) Organizing recall elections or order to remove office holders that are not voting according to the party's agenda
E) At the time of the next election, the party (voters) can hold officeholders accountable for their actions.

Question 12

Though originally opposed to political parties, many framers of the U.S. Constitution ultimately became strong party participants. This phenomenon is often considered to be proof of the _________________________.

A) necessity of political parties in American government
B) inconsistency of the early founders
C) dishonesty of the early leaders
D) power of the political parties to control thought
E) weaknesses of the early founders

Question 13

Regional, or sectional, differences have existed in the American political arena since colonial times. These differences are evident in political party affiliations. Historically, where did the strongest support for Thomas Jefferson's Democratic-Republican Party lie?

A) in the larger cities
B) in the more conservative northern states
C) Jefferson was unique in that he enjoyed support nation wide
D) in the southern and mid-Atlantic states
E) west of the Mississippi River

Question 14

The primary concern of the Federalist Party in the late 1700s was _____________________.

A) a strong national government
B) powerful state governments
C) alliances and peace with Native Americans
D) state control of the military
E) westward expansion

Question 15

What does the U.S. Constitution say about political parties?

A) It requires presidential candidates to be nominated by political parties.
B) It makes no mention of parties.
C) It requires the electorate to use political parties in all elections.
D) It creates the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to regulate the actions of political parties.
E) It gives Congress the power to create two major political parties.

Question 16

Which of the following is the best definition of a political party?

A) an organization that seeks to win elections for the purpose of influencing the outputs of government
B) an organization that seeks to generate a profit from its control of government
C) a government agency that seeks to control government at local, state, and federal levels
D) a quasi-government agency that controls the government and minimizes competition of ideas
E) an organization that seeks to challenge governmental authority through organized protest

Question 17

In his Federalist No. 10 in 1787, James Madison expressed which of the following opinions about factions?

A) They were necessary toward achieving good governance.
B) Americans must form into factions in order to be successful during elections.
C) They were dangerous and would promote corruption and bias in the political system.
D) Federalist No. 10 makes no mention of factions.
E) They would not develop due to a lack of political ambition in America.

Question 18

All of the following occurred as a result of the election of 1800, except _______________________.

A) the election was decided by the House of Representatives
B) Thomas Jefferson was elected as president
C) the Twelfth Amendment was passed to separate the votes for president and vice president
D) the Federalist Party was created
E) ​there were an equal number of electoral votes cast for Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr

Question 19

In the 1828 presidential election Andrew Jackson won easily against the candidate who had defeated him in an 1824 electoral college upset. Which of the following was not a result of this important election?

A) The Democratic party emerged and became a strong and lasting force in politics.
B) Political parties quickly realized the need to organize within the states to build a strong organizational base.
C) Political parties became larger and stronger.
D) Political parties began to hold national party conventions.
E) The United States shifted to a one-party system, making it illegal to oppose the dominant party.

Question 20

Though never explicitly intended, which of the following has been a positive benefit of the competition for power between the two major parties?

A) Competition has been successful in keeping the government weak and under control.
B) The struggles between the two parties have kept third parties from confusing the goals of democracy.
C) Competition has proven to be a significant check against tyranny.
D) The two parties have been able to retain control of the government in the proper hands.
E) Most observers doubt that there are any positive benefits from political parties.

Question 21

Between 1836 and 1856, which political party opposed, and at times defeated, the Democratic Party in presidential elections?

A) Republicans
B) Federalists
C) Know-Nothings
D) Free Soilers
E) Whigs

Question 22

In 1860, which political party was the supporter of states' rights?

A) ​Republican
B) ​Democratic
C) ​Freethinker
D) ​Federalist
E) ​Progressive

Question 23

What was the basis of the split of the Whig Party by the 1850s?

A) serious differences over the legality and morality of slavery
B) differences over the relationship of the United States with the Republic of Texas
C) the Mexican War
D) disagreements over alliances with France
E) relations with Native American people as the nation expanded westward

Question 24

Since 1968 the American political scene has witnessed a slow but steady shift in political party affiliation, especially in the South. What is occurring?

A) The historically solid Democratic stronghold in the South has reverted to a strong Republican territory.
B) A strong third party has emerged.
C) States' Rights party of Strom Thurmond has been instrumental in cementing the Democratic stronghold in the South.
D) Northern Republicans are migrating to the South but the native population in the southern states remains committed to the Democratic Party.
E) The Democratic Party in the South has lost much support but that loss has been seen mostly across racial lines.

Question 25

In the election of 1932, which candidate pledged a "New Deal"?​

A) Theodore Roosevelt
B) Woodrow Wilson
C) Herbert Hoover
D) Lyndon Baines Johnson
E) Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Question 26

Some political scientists have argued that the term dealignment best describes the behavior of voters _____________.

A) ​between 1800 and 1828
B) ​between 1860 and 1896
C) ​between 1912 and 1928
D) ​between 1932 and 1956
E) ​since the 1960s

Question 27

Between 1969 and 2014 ____________________________.

A) ​the Democrats won all but one of the presidential contents
B) ​the New Deal coalition increased
C) ​many conservatives in the South have become attracted to the Republican Party
D) ​two realignments (critical elections) have occurred
E) ​Democrats controlled Congress for all but four years

Question 28

Dealignment refers to ________________________________.

A) a shifting of party coalitions in the electorate that remain in place for several election cycles
B) the decline in voter attachment to both parties
C) party identification
D) issue attachment
E) party unity

Question 29

Ultimately, political parties have an interest in influencing public policy to be consistent with the views of the parties' coalitions. Through what means do political parties attempt to achieve these goals?​

A) ​lobbying bureaucrats
B) ​winning elections
C) ​boycotting businesses
D) ​lobbying legislators
E) ​organizing national referendums

Question 30

Which of the following presidents was not a product of the New Deal coalition that was established in 1932?

A) Harry Truman
B) FDR
C) Lyndon Johnson
D) JFK
E) Ronald Reagan

Question 31

In which of the following ways do parties organize the legislative process?​

A) ​Only the members of the majority party may vote on legislation.
B) ​The majority party will have greater control over the institution, and therefore, more influence over public policy.
C) ​The majority party may vote on whether the legislature will operate under a unicameral or bicameral system.
D) ​Members of the majority party elect the president.
E) ​All of these choices are correct.

Question 32

What is meant by the term, divided government?

A) ​There is deadlock in government.
B) ​Government is unresponsive to the public.
C) There is split-party control of Congress and the presidency.
D) The Speaker of the House is a member of the minority party.
E) ​Congress is divided into two chambers, a senate and a House of Representatives.

Question 33

Woodrow Wilson's success in the presidential election of 1812 can be viewed as a consequence of _______________.

A) Wilson's promise of neutrality in World War I
B) Wilson's education and credentials
C) the demise of the Republican Party
D) the Great Depression, which had seriously damaged the government's credibility among citizens
E) Theodore Roosevelt's split with the Republican Party

Question 34

The strongest third-party campaign for president took place during the 1912 election, which resulted in the third-party candidate receiving the second place and gaining more votes than one of the major party candidates. Who was this third-party candidate and his party?

A) Robert LaFollette/Socialist
B) Strom Thurmond/States' Rights
C) George Wallace/Independent
D) Theodore Roosevelt/Bull Moose
E) Eugene V. Debs/Progressive

Question 35

One theory states that certain elections can be characterized as producing sharp changes in patterns of party loyalty among voters, such as the election of 1860 in which Abraham Lincoln won the presidency. This theory is called ____________________ theory.

A) partisan
B) critical election
C) progressive era
D) democratic
E) socialist

Question 36

An election that results in a clear shifting of voter preferences from one party to another, or that clearly solidifies a party's unity, is referred to as a __________________.

A) realigning, or critical, election
B) divisive, or polarizing, election
C) party election, or political sweep
D) party overthrow
E) sectionalization

Question 37

Which issue led to the decline of the Whigs as a national force by the late 1850s?

A) prohibition
B) slavery
C) nationhood
D) Indian affairs
E) taxes

Question 38

Which party emerged in the 1850's to absorb the smaller parties and replace the Whigs as the major opposition party to the Democrats​?

A) ​Democratic-Republicans
B) ​Federalists
C) ​Republicans
D) ​Whigs
E) ​Know-Nothings

Question 39

Political parties play a critical role in our democratic process in all of the following ways, except​ ________________.

A) ​recruiting and nominating candidates to run for office
B) ​providing voters with policy options
C) ​creating a competitive election process
D) ​removing party members from existing terms of office
E) ​organizing legislative operations

Question 40

Which of the following is not a function of political parties?

A) organizing the process of competitive elections
B) recruiting and promoting political candidates
C) establishing networks of business relationships
D) offering voters candidate and policy choices
E) offering proposals for making public policy

Question 41

What constitutional amendment provides voting protections for women?

A) Fifteenth Amendment
B) Nineteenth Amendment
C) Twenty-Third Amendment
D) Twenty-Fourth Amendment
E) Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Question 42

Which of the following ran for president as a third party candidate, under the "Bull Moose" Party, and secured 27 percent of the vote in 1912?

A) Ralph Nader
B) Henry Wallace
C) Millard Fillmore
D) Eugene V. Debs
E) Theodore Roosevelt

Question 43

The core principle underlying representative democracy is ______________________.

A) existentialism
B) majoritarianism, or majority rule
C) proportional representation
D) rule by heredity
E) authoritarianism

Question 44

Which of the following is not a factor in motivating people to vote?

A) an individual's interest in politics
B) mandatory requirement of registered citizens
C) a sense of civic duty
D) the perception that an individual's vote can have an impact on an election
E) social group pressure

Question 45

The central governing body of the two major American political parties, which oversee the conduct of presidential campaigns and develop strategies for congressional elections, is the ________________________.

A) politburo
B) national committee
C) presidential counsel
D) central bureau
E) Congress

Question 46

The term, suffrage, refers to ________________________.

A) the idea that all citizens in a nation have the right to vote
B) the right to vote
C) typically a high draft choice
D) a requirement that individuals pay a fee before being allowed to vote
E) a decline in voter attachment to parties and in clarity of party coalitions

Question 47

Which third party presidential candidate, running under "United We Stand America," garnered 19 percent of the vote in 1992?

A) Ross Perot
B) Theodore Roosevelt
C) George Wallace
D) Ralph Nader
E) John Anderson
​

Question 48

Voter turnout can be defined as _________________________.

A) the number of people who vote
B) the percentage of the total population that votes
C) the number of citizens interested in voting in an election
D) the percentage of eligible voters that vote in an election
E) the percentage of the total population that is registered to vote

Question 49

The process that provides for the nomination of a candidates based on an open election among all party members, has empowered rank-and-file party members rather than party leaders to choose the party's nominees. This is referred to as __________________________.

A) general election preemption
B) general election screening process
C) direct primary election
D) local primary preference
E) straw vote

Question 50

Majoritarianism is the principle that ____________________.

A) the choice that receives the most votes is the choice that prevails
B) all citizens in a nation have the right to vote
C) the percentage of voters that can be expected with reasonable certainty to cast a ballot for each of the two major political parties
D) all voters will ultimately make the same decision for the good of the country
E) refuses to hear the vote of minorities.

Question 51

The system in the United States whereby a candidate with a plurality of the votes wins the seat, is referred to as ____________________.

A) proportional representation
B) winner-take-all
C) disenfranchisement
D) clean sweep theory
E) constitutional apportionment

Question 52

In the United States, what is the mechanism used to ensure that the majority will rule ________________.

A) voting in elections
B) lobbying
C) judicial review
D) recall
E) filibuster

Question 53

Which constitutional amendment lowered the voting age to 18 in all local, state, and federal elections?

A) Fifteenth Amendment
B) Nineteenth Amendment
C) Twenty-Third Amendment
D) Twenty-Fourth Amendment
E) Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Question 54

In the United States, voter turnout for midterm congressional elections is about _______.​

A) ​the same as for presidential elections
B) 20 percent lower than for presidential elections
C) ​20 percent higher than for presidential elections
D) ​40 percent lower than for presidential elections
E) ​40 percent higher than for presidential elections

Question 55

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a "high stimulus" election?

A) greater levels of media coverage
B) perceptions of a close race
C) higher significance of office
D) the costs of obtaining information about an election outweighing the benefits of making a vote
E) high importance attached to an issue

Question 56

Ideologically, American public opinion tends to show certain consistent trends. Ideologically, most Americans are ___________________________.

A) either extreme left or extreme right in their leanings
B) prone to swing back and forth between liberal and conservative ideologies
C) prone to follow the lead of European nations such as France and Britain
D) moderate, or centrist, thus creating a scenario in which the two major parties are leery of venturing away from the center
E) unsure of where they stand

Question 57

Which of the following is true of voter turnout?

A) Younger people are more likely to vote than middle-aged people.
B) Education depreciates the sense of civic duty.
C) Those in the age bracket of 25‑44 years, are the most likely to vote.
D) Women are slightly more inclined to vote than men.
E) Voter turnout is affected only by political factors and not demographic.

Question 58

Passed in 1964, which amendment outlawed poll taxes by making unconstitutional any law that made payment of a tax a voting eligibility requirement in federal elections?

A) Fifteenth Amendment
B) Nineteenth Amendment
C) Twenty-Third Amendment
D) Twenty-Fourth Amendment
E) Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Question 59

A system in which citizens choose the individuals who are then responsible for making and enforcing public policy, is referred to as a ___________________.​

A) direct democracy
B) parliamentary system
C) divided government
D) representative democracy
E) limited monarchy

Question 60

Which level of party organization is most influential in the nomination of candidates, in developing and organizing campaigns, and in providing a cue to voters about their vote selections?

A) federal level, where the funding is significant
B) regional level, because most fundraising is done based on geographic area of the country
C) national level, where the bulk of the work of elections is carried out
D) state and local levels, where party supporters meet and get out the vote
E) all are equally influential

Question 61

What is meant by the term critical election? Identify and discuss at least two critical presidential elections in American history. Why were these elections designated as critical?

Question 62

What were the primary differences between the Federalist and the Democratic-Republican Parties? What were the presidential successes of each party? During what period of time was each a strong political force in American politics?

Question 63

What are the historical roles and functions of political parties in America? Do parties play a worthwhile role in the modern American political system?

Question 64

Some political scientists have suggested that political parties in America are in a state of decline. Discuss arguments in favor of and opposed to this hypothesis.

Question 65

Which of the following is not an explanation for low voter turnout?

A) There are a large number of elections in America, making the opportunity to participate less of a novelty.
B) Voting in the United States usually requires advance registration.
C) Tuesdays are work days.
D) The rise in "social capital"
E) Voting in the United States is not compulsory.

Question 66

Is nonvoting a problem? Discuss some reasons for and against nonvoting in America. What is your opinion on the matter?

Question 67

Describe the impact the presidential election of 1824 had on the creation of the Democratic Party and the election of 1828. What effects did Jackson have on the political party system?

Question 68

Social capital is __________________.

A) declining
B) also called "social connectedness" of a community
C) is evidenced in labor unions and bowling leagues
D) directly associated with the amount of television intake
E) all of these choices are correct.

Question 69

Describe factors that play a role in voter turnout. Discuss some reasons for low voter turnout in America. How does voter turnout in the United States compare to other democracies?

Question 70

Which of the following would be considered a form of protest?​

A) ​marches
B) ​sit-ins
C) ​rallys
D) ​boycotts
E) ​all of these choices are correct.

Question 71

Discuss the impact of third parties in American political history. Have they generally been successful? Describe some of the most significant third-party presidential campaigns.

Question 72

The Democratic and Republican Parties have competed against each other in presidential elections ever since 1856. Explain how the parties have changed over time. Include in your answer an understanding of how their ideologies and coalitions have shifted. How would you describe the current differences between the Democratic and Republican Parties?

Question 73

When protesters are engaged in illegal but nonviolent activities, it is referred to as _____________________.

A) ​nonviolent civil disobedience
B) ​lobbying
C) ​electioneering
D) ​passive obedience
E) ​revolution

Question 74

What were the founders' views of political parties? How did their views change once government began to operate? What is the impact of their views today?

Question 75

For the past three presidential elections, voter turnout has trended upward ​to approximately ____________ percent.

A) ​60
B) ​90
C) 75
D) ​40
E) ​25

Question 76

Beginning in early 2009​, what was the purpose of the Tea Party Movement?

A) ​to defeat all incumbent officeholders
B) ​to dissolve the national government
C) ​to urge government to pass the Affordable Care Act
D) ​to protest government's increase in spending
E) ​to reorganize the existing political parties

Question 77

Legal protests are protected by which of the following?

A) ​Second Amendment Right to Bear Arms
B) ​Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures
C) ​First Amendment right to peaceably assemble and petition government for a redress of grievances
D) ​Fifth Amendment eminent domain protection
E) ​Eight Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment