1. The remarks in the excerpt were most likely made in response to which
of the following?
(A) Popular campaigning
(B) Universal White male suffrage
(C) Expanding caucus system
(D) Return of a two-party system
2. Which of the following developments most directly supports the claim
in the excerpt that “the old party lines are nearly obliterated”?
(A) The rise of the Federalist Party, particularly in New England
(B) The increased use of the spoils system to fill government jobs
(C) The idea of rotation in office as advocated by Andrew Jackson
(D) The rise of new parties such as the Workingmen’s Party
3. Which of the following statements about the period 1824 to 1840 could
be used to modify or refute the claim in the last sentence of the excerpt?
(A) More states used popular elections to choose members of the
Electoral College.
(B) Political parties began to use conventions to nominate candidates.
(C) The number of votes in presidential elections increased sevenfold.
(D) The opportunities for women and African Americans to participate
in politics remained unchanged.
3 answers
1. The remarks in the excerpt were most likely made in response to (B) Universal White male suffrage. During this period, many states expanded suffrage rights to all White men, regardless of property ownership. This change could have blurred traditional party lines as a wider demographic began to participate in the electoral process.
2. The development that most directly supports the claim that “the old party lines are nearly obliterated” would be (D) The rise of new parties such as the Workingmen's Party. The emergence of new political movements and parties would suggest a breakdown or reorganization of the traditional party lines that existed prior to this period.
3. To refute the claim in the last sentence of the excerpt, you could use (C) The number of votes in presidential elections increased sevenfold. This increase in voter turnout suggests that rather than apathy or disinterest, political engagement was actually growing. This could challenge the implication that political interest had subsided if that's what the last sentence of the excerpt suggests.
Remember, without the excerpt, these answers are speculative. The actual text could change the context significantly.
Our citizens who have not yet voted, have one more day in which they
may exercise the privilege of determining whom they will have for their
rulers. The old party lines are nearly obliterated, but there has sprung up
a new interest which is formidable, both for the number of its adherents,
and the disorganizing purposes by which they are actuated. By throwing
open the polls to every man that walks, we have placed the power in
the hands of those who have neither property, talents, nor influence in
other circumstances; and who require in their public offices no higher
qualifications than they possess themselves.”
1. The remarks in the excerpt were most likely made in response to (B) Universal White male suffrage. The phrases "throwing open the polls to every man that walks" and "have placed the power in the hands of those who have neither property" point to the expansion of voting rights beyond property owners to all White males.
2. The development that most directly supports the claim in the excerpt that “the old party lines are nearly obliterated” would still be (D) The rise of new parties such as the Workingmen’s Party. The mention of "a new interest which is formidable" suggests the emergence of new political forces or movements outside of traditional party structures.
3. To modify or refute the claim in the last sentence of the excerpt, you might use (B) Political parties began to use conventions to nominate candidates. This reflects an ongoing evolution and sophistication within political parties, suggesting active and organized political engagement rather than a mere reliance on qualifications the voters "possess themselves." The excerpt contends that the voters do not require higher qualifications in public office-holders, which could imply a low opinion of the democratic process at play during the period; the use of conventions shows a more nuanced, organized approach to candidate selection that is incongruent with that low opinion.