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Quizzes > Society & Culture > Politics & Civics

Take the AP Gov Chapters 8 & 11 Party Politics Quiz

Think you know patronage, realignment, and superdelegates? Dive in now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for AP Gov quiz covering chapters 8 11 patronage realignment superdelegates on teal background

This AP Gov Patronage Definition Quiz helps you master the patronage definition and terms from Chapters 8 and 11, like realignment, superdelegates, and the spoils system. Use it to spot gaps before the exam and build speed. For a quick warm-up, try Chapter 8 practice.

What is political patronage?
Holding elections at regular intervals
Awarding government jobs to political supporters
Hiring based solely on professional qualifications
Redistributing public funds to social programs
Political patronage refers to the practice of giving government offices and favors to political supporters rather than on merit. This system often rewards loyalty and helps maintain party control. It was a central feature of 19th-century party machines.
Which term is synonymous with the 'spoils system'?
Civil service
Progressive reform
Patronage system
Merit system
The spoils system is another name for political patronage, where winners of elections reward supporters with public offices. It was famously described by President Andrew Jackson. Critics argued it fostered corruption.
What is the merit system in public employment?
Appointments by party leaders
Hiring based on qualifications and exams
Temporary political appointments
Patronage for campaign donors
The merit system emphasizes hiring and promoting employees based on ability and performance, often through competitive exams. It was instituted to curb the abuses of patronage. The Pendleton Act of 1883 laid its foundation.
Which law established the federal civil service system?
Logan Act
Hatch Act
Pendleton Act
Civil Rights Act
The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 created the first federal merit-based system for hiring. It sought to end the spoils system. It initially covered about 10% of federal jobs.
What is the primary goal of a civil service exam?
Approve legislative proposals
Identify party loyalists
Assess candidates' job-related skills objectively
Promote campaign fundraising
Civil service exams are designed to evaluate applicants' knowledge and skills relevant to government positions. They aim to ensure merit-based appointments. This reduces political patronage and favors.
Which practice did the Pendleton Act restrict?
Patronage appointments without qualification
Judicial confirmations
Campaign contributions
Primary election procedures
The Pendleton Act curbed the ability of elected officials to award jobs based solely on political support. It required certain positions to be filled through competitive exams. Gradually, it expanded to cover most federal roles.
What term describes a highly organized party system that uses patronage?
Federal bureaucracy
Interest group
Coalition government
Political machine
A political machine is an organization that commands enough votes to maintain political and administrative control. It often exchanges services and jobs for votes. Tammany Hall in New York is a classic example.
Which famous New York City machine was known for patronage?
Political Cartel
The Boss System
Chicago Outfit
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall was the Democratic Party political machine that dominated NYC politics in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It rewarded supporters with jobs and contracts. Its most notorious boss was William Tweed.
What is 'realignment' in party politics?
A major long-term shift in party support
An informal coalition of interest groups
The process of redrawing district lines
A temporary shift in voter turnout
Realignment refers to a durable change in the coalition of party supporters. It often follows a critical election. Examples include the New Deal coalition post-1932.
What is the opposite of political realignment?
Coalition building
Gerrymandering
Dealignment
Reapportionment
Dealignment occurs when a significant portion of the electorate abandons its previous partisan affiliation without adopting a new one. It leads to more independents. It contrasts with realignment where voters switch to a rival party.
What is a 'critical election'?
A midterm election with low turnout
An election with foreign interference
An election marking a major party realignment
A close election decided by recount
A critical election brings significant and lasting shifts in voter loyalties and party control. The 1932 presidential election is often cited as critical. It led to the dominance of the New Deal coalition.
Which election is often called the New Deal realignment?
1980
1932
1968
2000
The 1932 election brought Franklin D. Roosevelt to power and created a coalition of labor, minorities, and urban voters that dominated for decades. This shift is known as the New Deal realignment. It changed the Democratic Party's identity.
What are superdelegates?
Unpledged party leaders and elected officials
Voters in closed primaries
Delegates bound by primary results
Members of the Electoral College
Superdelegates in the Democratic Party are party officials and leaders who can support any candidate at the convention. They were created in 1984 to give party insiders a voice. They differ from pledged delegates bound by primaries.
Which party uses superdelegates in its nominating process?
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Libertarian Party
Green Party
The Democratic Party employs superdelegates at its national convention. The Republican Party uses a different system of unpledged delegates but fewer in number. Superdelegates are unique to the Democrats.
What distinguishes a pledged delegate from a superdelegate?
Pledged delegates are party leaders
Pledged delegates are bound by primary or caucus results
Superdelegates must follow voter preferences
Superdelegates are chosen by ballot
Pledged delegates reflect the outcome of primaries and caucuses and are required to support specific candidates. Superdelegates are free to choose any candidate. This creates a dual system in the Democratic nomination process.
What is political dealignment?
The process of redistricting
A shift of voters from one party to another
A decline in party loyalty among voters
The creation of third parties
Dealignment occurs when voters move away from strong party identification but do not necessarily join the opposing party. It leads to more independents. It contrasts with realignment where voters switch allegiances.
Which of these is a sign of a party realignment?
Long-term shift in voter coalitions
Slight increase in turnout
Change in primary rules
Redistricting by state legislatures
A party realignment is evident when durable changes in voter support alter the balance of power. It typically results from critical elections. Voter coalitions form that last several election cycles.
When did the Republican Party gain a lasting majority after a critical election?
1936
1884
1912
1860
The 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln led to a durable Republican majority in the North. It realigned the electorate over slavery and union preservation. This critical election remade party coalitions.
Which demographic group shifted toward the Democratic Party during the New Deal realignment?
Wealthy business owners
Urban working-class voters
Southern landowners
Rural farmers in the Midwest
Urban working-class voters, including many immigrants, backed FDR's New Deal policies. They formed a key pillar of the Democratic coalition for decades. This group switched from Republican support pre-1932.
Which event is credited with beginning the modern Republican realignment in the South?
1932 New Deal policies
2008 financial crisis
1912 Progressive split
1964 Civil Rights Act support by Democrats
Democratic support for the 1964 Civil Rights Act alienated many white Southern voters. Republicans capitalized with the Southern Strategy. This shift marked a long-term realignment.
Which of these characterizes a party realignment?
New campaign finance laws
Introduction of new polling techniques
Voter turnout fluctuations year to year
Coalition changes lasting decades
Realignment brings lasting shifts in party support and policy priorities. These shifts endure through multiple election cycles. Short-term fluctuations do not constitute realignment.
Which 1980 election is known for realigning older voters toward Republicans?
Ronald Reagan vs. Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter vs. Gerald Ford
Richard Nixon vs. Hubert Humphrey
George H.W. Bush vs. Michael Dukakis
In 1980, Reagan attracted many older and more conservative voters, shifting their loyalty toward Republicans. This election is often cited as a conservative realignment. It reshaped party coalitions for years.
Which factor often triggers a critical election and realignment?
Change in ballot design
Introduction of a third-party candidate
Shift from closed to open primaries
Economic crisis or major social upheaval
Critical elections usually coincide with significant economic downturns or social movements that alter voter priorities. The Great Depression in 1932 is a classic example. Such events lead to durable shifts in party allegiance.
What role do superdelegates play in the Democratic nomination?
They are bound by primary results
They lead state primary caucuses
They appoint campaign staff
They can vote for any candidate at the convention
Superdelegates are unpledged and free to support any candidate at the Democratic National Convention. They include party leaders, elected officials, and former officeholders. Their votes can be pivotal in close races.
How are superdelegates selected?
By virtue of their party position
By winning local caucuses
By public petition
Through state primaries
Superdelegates are automatically delegates because they are party officials or elected leaders. They do not go through primaries or caucuses. Their status is determined by party rules.
Which reform reduced the influence of superdelegates after 2016?
Eliminating state primaries
Limiting their first-ballot votes
Raising delegate age requirements
Increasing campaign contribution limits
After concerns in 2016, the Democratic Party decided that superdelegates could not vote on the first ballot if their votes could alter the outcome. This change aimed to enhance the role of pledged delegates. It was adopted in 2018.
Which process selects pledged delegates?
Presidential decree
Primaries and caucuses
Judicial appointment
Party conventions
Pledged delegates are allocated to candidates based on the results of state primaries and caucuses. Each state's rules determine the proportional or winner-take-all distribution. They are bound to their candidate at least on the first ballot.
Realignment theory suggests that party systems change approximately every how many years?
30 to 40 years
100 years
1 to 2 election cycles
5 to 10 years
Scholars note that major party realignments occur roughly every 30 to 40 years in U.S. history. This reflects generational shifts in issues and coalition makeup. It aligns with patterns seen in 1860, 1932, and 1968.
Approximately what percentage of delegates were superdelegates at the 2020 Democratic Convention?
Over 50%
Around 15%
None, they were abolished
Under 5%
In 2020, superdelegates made up about 15% of all Democratic delegates. Their influence was curtailed by first-ballot voting rules. This proportion reflects party reforms post-2016.
What initial coverage did the Pendleton Act provide for federal jobs?
50%
All positions except Cabinet
Only postal workers
About 10%
The Pendleton Act originally covered just 10% of federal positions, focusing on key roles. Over time, coverage expanded. It laid groundwork for today's broad civil service.
Which Supreme Court decision limited patronage in public employment?
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
Brown v. Board (1954)
Elrod v. Burns (1976)
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
In Elrod v. Burns the Court ruled that patronage dismissals violate the First Amendment's free association clause. It restricted firing public employees for political reasons. This case strengthened merit protections.
Which act prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities while on duty?
Taft-Hartley Act
Pendleton Act
Civil Rights Act
Hatch Act
The Hatch Act of 1939 restricts political activities of federal employees to ensure nonpartisan administration. It bars them from campaigning while on duty and using public resources. It aims to separate public service from party politics.
Which election is considered a realignment due to Southern whites shifting to Republicans?
2004
1992
1968
1972
The 1968 election saw many white Southern voters support Nixon, following the civil rights upheavals. This shift marked the end of the Solid South's loyalty to Democrats. It represents a key realignment.
What is a 'brokered convention'?
A closed-door meeting of party elites
A convention with only pledged delegates present
A convention where no candidate has majority until deals are made
A gathering of independent delegates
A brokered convention occurs when no candidate secures a majority of delegates on the first ballot. Party leaders negotiate and broker deals to select a nominee. It was common before widespread primaries.
Which reform limited patronage by requiring open, competitive exams for many offices?
McCain-Feingold Act
Pendleton Act
Grants and Administration Act
Civil Rights Act
The Pendleton Act mandated that certain federal jobs be filled through competitive exams. This curbed direct patronage appointments. It gradually extended to cover most civil service positions.
Which demographic's party allegiance shifted most markedly during the 1932 realignment?
Wealthy industrialists
Southern plantation owners
Western ranchers
African Americans
African Americans, who had largely voted Republican since Reconstruction, shifted to support FDR's New Deal in 1932. This realignment lasted for decades. It was driven by relief and reform policies.
Which body enforces rules on federal civil service?
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Federal Election Commission
Office of Management and Budget
Department of Justice
The Office of Personnel Management administers civil service policies, including merit system principles and examinations. It replaced the Civil Service Commission in 1979. It ensures fair hiring and employment practices.
What is clientelism in comparative politics?
Exchange of goods or services for political support
A form of direct democracy
Judicial review of laws
Federal-state power sharing
Clientelism involves politicians providing goods or services to individuals or groups in exchange for political backing. It resembles patronage and is common in many countries. It undermines broader accountability.
Which legislation further restricted partisan activities of federal employees beyond the Hatch Act?
Ethics in Government Act (1978)
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act
Taft-Hartley Act
Pendleton Act
The Ethics in Government Act imposed stricter disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules on federal officials. It complemented Hatch Act restrictions on partisan conduct. It sought greater transparency in the post-Watergate era.
Which recent shift suggests a new party realignment?
Rise of third-party candidates
Growth of suburban Republican voting among women
Stable party identification over decades
Increased youth turnout in midterms
Recent elections have seen suburban women swing towards Republicans, indicating potential coalition changes. This shift may signal the start of a new realignment. It contrasts with previous Democratic suburban strength.
How did superdelegates influence the 2016 Democratic nomination?
They split evenly between candidates
They were excluded from voting
They collectively signaled support for Hillary Clinton
They voted for Bernie Sanders on first ballot
In 2016, many superdelegates publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton before primaries concluded. This created perceptions of an insider advantage. Their early support influenced media narratives and momentum.
Which reform most effectively reduced the spoils system in the U.S.?
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act
Fourteenth Amendment
Political Parties Reform Act
Pendleton Act
The Pendleton Act established merit-based hiring, sharply reducing patronage. It laid the foundation for the modern civil service. No subsequent legislation matched its direct impact on spoilage.
Which analytical model explains cycles of party realignment?
Pluralist theory
Critical election model
Elite theory
Median voter theorem
The critical election model posits that watershed elections cause lasting changes in party coalitions. It interprets shifts in voter behavior around major crises. Other models focus on incremental changes rather than abrupt realignments.
How has the Pendleton Act influenced modern federal hiring?
Established merit-based standards still used today
Led to privatization of civil service
Mandated political tests for appointees
Removed all executive hiring authority
The merit principles of the Pendleton Act underpin current civil service exams and standards. It ensures competitive selection for most federal jobs. Political loyalty is no longer the primary hiring criterion.
Which statistic tracks patronage appointments over time?
Total campaign contributions
Number of independent voters
Number of Schedule C and non-career SES positions
Annual voter turnout percentage
Schedule C and non-career Senior Executive Service slots are politically appointed and track patronage. Their annual counts indicate the scale of appointments. Career SES and competitive service slots are excluded.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Patronage -

    Define the patronage AP Gov definition and recognize how political appointments are used to reward party supporters.

  2. Define Realignment -

    Articulate the realignment definition in AP Government and identify examples of major shifts in voter loyalty and party coalitions.

  3. Explain Superdelegates -

    Explain the superdelegates definition AP GOV and distinguish the role of unpledged delegates in the presidential nomination process.

  4. Analyze Party Dynamics -

    Analyze how patronage, realignment, and superdelegates influence party strategies, electoral competition, and voter alignment.

  5. Apply Key Terms -

    Apply these concepts in quiz scenarios to reinforce your grasp of party mechanisms and prepare for AP Gov assessments.

  6. Evaluate Political Mechanisms -

    Evaluate the impact of patronage, realignment, and superdelegates on electoral outcomes and democratic representation.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Patronage -

    Patronage is the reward of public offices or contracts to political supporters, often bypassing merit-based hiring to strengthen party loyalty. This spoils system sparked the 1883 Pendleton Civil Service Act after President Garfield's assassination highlighted its flaws (US Civil Service Commission). Mnemonic: remember PATRON = "Political Appointments To Reward Own Nominations."

  2. Party Machines -

    Party machines are highly organized party structures that control local politics through patronage, vote mobilization, and hierarchical leadership, as exemplified by Tammany Hall in 19th-century New York (NYU History). These machines sustained power by offering jobs and services in exchange for reliable electoral support. Key tip: think "Machine = Mechanism of Meritless Appointments."

  3. Political Realignment -

    A political realignment is a durable shift in the electorate's party loyalties, marked by new coalitions and dominant party eras, such as FDR's New Deal coalition in 1932 (Congressional Research Service). These shifts often follow critical elections and can redefine policy priorities for decades. Use the 3R mnemonic: Readjust, Rebuild, Realign.

  4. Critical Elections -

    Critical elections are watershed moments that trigger political realignments, featuring high turnout and decisive issue cleavages - examples include 1828 (Jacksonian era) and 1896 (McKinley vs. Bryan) (Harvard Kennedy School). They signal the birth of new party coalitions and lasting ideological shifts. Recall "CE" as "Critical Events change Electorate."

  5. Superdelegates -

    Superdelegates are unpledged Democratic National Convention delegates, including party leaders and elected officials, free to support any candidate regardless of primary outcomes, constituting about 15% of the total (DNC Charter). Introduced post-1980 to give the party establishment more influence, they can tip close nomination contests. Mnemonic: "Super = Stickier Support" since they aren't bound by primaries.

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