Civics Polity · History

Political History and Events

1,839 Questions

Study political history through questions covering major political events, party conventions, alliances, and historical scandals. This material helps candidates preparing for civil services and polity examinations. Assess your knowledge of global political systems and historical campaigns with these practice questions.

Political parties and systemsPresidential electionsHistorical political scandalsParty conventions and caucusesPolitical alliancesGovernment policies

Political History and Events Questions

Multiple choice

What are some of the criticisms of party primaries?

  1. They are too expensive

  2. They are too divisive

  3. They favor wealthy and well-known candidates

  4. They are undemocratic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

Party primaries have been criticized for being too expensive, too divisive, favoring wealthy and well-known candidates, and being undemocratic.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the political party that has won the most presidential elections in Mexico since 1997?

  1. National Action Party (PAN)

  2. Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)

  3. Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD)

  4. Morena
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) has won the most presidential elections in Mexico since 1997, with 7 victories.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the political party that won the most seats in the Senate in the 2021 midterm elections?

  1. National Action Party (PAN)

  2. Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)

  3. Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD)

  4. Morena
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Morena also won the most seats in the Senate in the 2021 midterm elections, with 61 seats.

Multiple choice

What are the two main types of party primaries?

  1. Open primaries and closed primaries

  2. Direct primaries and indirect primaries

  3. Presidential primaries and congressional primaries

  4. State primaries and local primaries
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The two main types of party primaries are open primaries and closed primaries. In an open primary, any registered voter can participate, regardless of their party affiliation. In a closed primary, only registered voters who are members of the party can participate.

Multiple choice

What are the two main types of party primaries?

  1. Open primaries and closed primaries

  2. Direct primaries and indirect primaries

  3. Primary elections and caucuses

  4. Presidential primaries and congressional primaries
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The two main types of party primaries are open primaries and closed primaries. In an open primary, voters can vote for the candidate of any party, regardless of their own party affiliation. In a closed primary, voters can only vote for the candidate of their own party.

Multiple choice

In which state was the first presidential primary held?

  1. New Hampshire

  2. Iowa

  3. South Carolina

  4. Nevada
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The first presidential primary was held in New Hampshire in 1916.

Multiple choice

Which party was the first to hold a presidential primary?

  1. Democratic Party

  2. Republican Party

  3. Progressive Party

  4. Socialist Party
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Democratic Party was the first to hold a presidential primary in 1912.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the West German political party that played a significant role in the reunification of Germany?

  1. Christian Democratic Union (CDU)

  2. Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD)

  3. Free Democratic Party (FDP)

  4. The Greens
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Helmut Kohl, played a significant role in the reunification of Germany.

Multiple choice

Which New Deal program provided funding for the construction of public works projects?

  1. The Public Works Administration

  2. The Works Progress Administration

  3. The Civilian Conservation Corps

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Public Works Administration, the Works Progress Administration, and the Civilian Conservation Corps all provided funding for the construction of public works projects.

Multiple choice

Which party won the most seats in the 2020 United States House of Representatives election?

  1. Democratic Party

  2. Republican Party

  3. Libertarian Party

  4. Green Party
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Democratic Party won 222 seats in the 2020 United States House of Representatives election, while the Republican Party won 211 seats.

Multiple choice

Which party won the most seats in the 2019 United Kingdom general election?

  1. Conservative Party

  2. Labour Party

  3. Liberal Democrats

  4. Scottish National Party
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Conservative Party won 365 seats in the 2019 United Kingdom general election, while the Labour Party won 202 seats.

Multiple choice

Which party won the most seats in the 2015 Canadian federal election?

  1. Liberal Party

  2. Conservative Party

  3. New Democratic Party

  4. Bloc Québécois
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Liberal Party won 184 seats in the 2015 Canadian federal election, while the Conservative Party won 99 seats.

Multiple choice

Which party won the most seats in the 2017 French legislative election?

  1. La République En Marche!

  2. Les Républicains

  3. Parti Socialiste

  4. Front National
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

La République En Marche! won 308 seats in the 2017 French legislative election, while Les Républicains won 112 seats.

Multiple choice

Which party won the most seats in the 2018 German federal election?

  1. Christian Democratic Union

  2. Social Democratic Party

  3. Alternative for Germany

  4. Free Democratic Party
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Christian Democratic Union won 200 seats in the 2018 German federal election, while the Social Democratic Party won 152 seats.

Multiple choice

Which party won the most seats in the 2019 European Parliament election?

  1. European People's Party

  2. Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats

  3. Renew Europe

  4. European Conservatives and Reformists
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The European People's Party won 182 seats in the 2019 European Parliament election, while the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats won 154 seats.