American Party System Quiz

The _________ Party is the oldest political party in the United States.

Mark the statements that are true. -The Democrats blamed the Republicans for the Stock Market crash of 1929. -The Democrats won the Presidency in the 90's but lost control of the Congress. -The Democratic party won considerable political strength during the Civil War. -The Anti-Federalists were one of the first two American political parties; they wanted a strong central government. -The "Era of Good feelings" was a period from 1816-1824 where there was only one political party: the Democrat-Republicans.

The Democrats fought almost bitterly at times over _____. -banking policies -slavery issues -tariff rates -all of the above

The Democratic split was so severe during the 1860 elections that _____. -the party disbanded -they ran two candidates for the presidency -they had no candidates running for the presidential election -the majority of the members joined the Republican party

Why would a single-issue, anti-slavery platform be a catalyst to ushering in a new political party? -Southern planters wanted a new means of cheap labor. -People in the north were less motivated by profits from slave labor and more interested in freedoms for all people. -The Whig and Democratic parties didn't offer any solid candidates. -John C. Freemont spoke about the First Amendment rights.

The introduction of a third party in politics can _____. -offer a new voice that may be missing -create a new electorate -split the vote of the leading party -mean a need to amend the Constitutional voting laws

Which of the following are notable aspects of Abraham Lincoln? Select all that apply. -He lost every election until the Presidency. -He was the first Republican Presidential nominee ever elected. -He led the U.S. through the Civil War, embracing anti-slavery and resulting in a stronger federal government. -He lost his second election to Ulysses S. Grant. -He rooted out rampant inflation.

The late nineteenth-early twentieth century saw _____. -the rise of the middle class -the rise and dominance of the Republican party -the need for a third political party -Woodrow Wilson switch from the Republican party to the New Democrats

Which statements best describe third-party politics since 1860? -The Bull Moose party was formed by a former Republican President and Jane Adams. -Democrats and Republicans worked together to destroy the Whig party. -The Reformed party, led by Ross Perot, tried to make a run in the race between George H. Bush and Bill Clinton. -The House of Representatives has no separate place for a third party candidate to sit. -A third party inevitably split the vote of the leading party.

William Taft and Theodore Roosevelt both began as Republicans. Why did Roosevelt leave the Republican party? -They supported each other politically but strongly disliked each other personally. -They ran against each other in the General election. -Taft defeated Roosevelt in Republican primaries after Roosevelt had already served two terms as a Republican President. -Taft left the Republican to begin the Bull Moose party after being defeated by Roosevelt.

Before the Constitution was even written, two parties emerged vying for a direction for America. Name them and their characteristics. -The Federalists wanted a strong Federal government, and the Republicans wanted freer elections -The Anti-Federalist were against a strong government, and the Whigs wanted States to have more power -The Whigs wanted a standing militia, and the Federalists wanted a Federal Reserve. -The Federalists wanted a strong centralized government, and the Anti-Federalist wanted to restrict the Federal government and give states more freedoms and legal control.

Alexander Hamilton was among the most important of the Founding Fathers. Which of the following is he responsible for? Select all that apply. -as Secretary of the Treasury, starting a central federal bank and printing the first federal currency for the United States -establishing our free-market economy that significantly encouraged manufacturing and trade -master-minding and writing the majority of Federalist Papers, arguing for a strong Federal government set out in the Constitution -serving as aide-de camp for General Washington during the Revolutionary war and henceforth maintained and promoted our country's honor

Which of the following is NOT true of the Anti-Federalists? -They were led by land-owning -Thomas Jefferson who wanted a weak central government. -They were largely comprised of Southern land-owners who did not want northern trade and commerce to take over the country. -They did not want the federal government to have a standing army or tax them to pay off the national debt incurred by the Revolutionary War. -They did not want a federal government that was toothless and would allow states too much power.

Which of the following are third parties that formed in the U.S.? Select all that apply. -Populist -Prohibition -Libertarian -Democrat -Republican

The Prohibition Party is an example of a party that _________. -has a broad program and attempts to gain national favor -has only one goal -broke away from a major political party

The left-wing protest party that was formed in 1919 was the _____. -Federalist -Whig -Libertarian -American Communist Party

The Populist Party of the 1890s was an example of a party formed chiefly to help a __________. -wide range of the populace -foreign investment -specific group of people

The _________ believed that the Federal government should possess all powers not specifically denied to it. -Federalists -Anti-Federalists

The Anti-Federalist would limit the Federal government strictly to _____. -managing of foreign affairs -coining of money -the powers the constitution delegated to it -making international treaties

Which of the following are Democratic presidents? Select all that apply. -Nixon -Kennedy -Wilson -Reagan -Johnson

What are the major American political parties? Select all that apply. -Liberals -Democrats -Conservatives -Republicans

Which of the following are Republican presidents? Select all that apply. -Lincoln -Bush -Wilson -Clinton -Eisenhower

Which sentences are true? Select all that apply. -The Republican Party began as a series of anti-slavery political meetings held in the Midwest in 1854. -Rural areas tend to vote for the more liberal party. -During the election of 1824, Andrew Jackson won the most electoral votes, but not the majority needed to be elected President. -The Anti-Federalist would limit the Federal government strictly to the powers the constitution delegated to it. -Third parties play a highly important role in the strengthening the two major parties. -When a political party puts people above the needs of its party, it is known as partisan politics.

Who was praised for his efforts in the Persian Gulf War, but was criticized for his poor efforts in strengthening the nation's economy?