Introduction: Why Political Parties Matter in AP Gov
Political parties shape elections, policymaking, and voter alignment — making them a core theme in AP U.S. Government and Politics.
On the exam, you’ll be expected to:
- Know the major party eras in U.S. history.
- Understand party realignment and dealignment.
- Analyze how parties influence participation and policy.
- Apply this knowledge in MCQs and FRQs.
In this guide — plus RevisionDojo’s timelines, flashcards, and FRQ banks — you’ll learn how to study political parties effectively for AP Gov.
Step 1: Understand the Role of Political Parties
Political parties are not just “Democrats vs Republicans.” They:
- Recruit candidates.
- Mobilize voters.
- Organize government (Congressional leadership, committee assignments).
- Connect citizens to government (linkage institution).
👉 Parties are linkage institutions alongside media and interest groups.
Step 2: Know the Major Party Eras
The AP Gov curriculum emphasizes party system changes over time.
- First Party System (1790s–1820s): Federalists vs Democratic-Republicans.
- Second Party System (1828–1850s): Democrats vs Whigs.
- Third Party System (1860–1890s): Republicans dominate after Civil War.
- Fourth Party System (1896–1932): Republicans + Progressive reforms.
- Fifth Party System (1932–1968): Democratic dominance after FDR’s New Deal.
- Sixth Party System (1968–Present): Divided government, rise of issue-based coalitions, Southern realignment to Republicans.
👉 RevisionDojo offers Party System Timeline Charts to visualize these shifts.
Step 3: Realignment and Dealignment
- Realignment: Major shift in party coalitions → long-term dominance.
- Example: 1932 (FDR & New Deal Democrats).
- Example: 1968 (Southern whites → Republican Party).
- Dealignment: Decline in party loyalty → rise of independents.
- Example: Growth of split-ticket voting in the 1970s–1990s.
👉 Expect FRQs on why coalitions shift and how it affects elections.
Step 4: Modern Democratic vs Republican Party
- Democrats: More liberal/progressive policies (social programs, climate, civil rights).
- Republicans: More conservative policies (limited government, free markets, traditional values).
But remember: AP Gov emphasizes coalitions, not stereotypes.
Examples of coalitions:
- Democrats: young voters, minorities, urban areas.
- Republicans: rural voters, evangelicals, business interests.
Step 5: Third Parties in the U.S.
- Rarely win elections, but influence national debate.
- Examples: Green Party, Libertarian Party, Ross Perot’s Reform Party.
- Spoiler effect → pulling votes from major parties.
👉 MCQs may ask why third parties struggle → winner-take-all system.
Step 6: How Political Parties Appear on the Exam
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ):
- Scenario: An increase in independent voters reflects which trend? (Answer: dealignment).
FRQ Examples:
- Concept Application: A scenario about third parties → explain why they struggle in elections.
- Argument Essay: Evaluate whether parties are still essential to democracy.
- SCOTUS Comparison: Connect party system shifts to constitutional interpretations.
👉 RevisionDojo’s FRQ practice banks provide political party essay prompts.
Step 7: Study Strategies for Political Parties
- Timelines: Map eras and realignments.
- Charts: Compare Democratic and Republican coalitions over time.
- Case Studies: 1932 New Deal, 1968 Nixon “Southern Strategy.”
- Practice Questions: Focus on party influence as a linkage institution.
Step 8: Connect Parties to Other AP Gov Units
- Elections: How parties influence voter turnout.
- Media: Role of parties in shaping messaging.
- Interest Groups: Differences in goals vs parties.
- Policy-Making: How divided government affects gridlock.
👉 This thematic approach is key for FRQs.
Step 9: Common Mistakes Students Make
- ❌ Memorizing names only (e.g., “Democrats = left, Republicans = right”).
- ❌ Forgetting that party coalitions evolve over time.
- ❌ Ignoring the role of third parties.
- ❌ Confusing realignment vs dealignment.
Step 10: The RevisionDojo Advantage
RevisionDojo helps organize political party study through:
- Timelines of Party Eras with visuals.
- Flashcards for realignment, dealignment, and major coalitions.
- FRQ essay banks with party-related prompts.
- Score Predictor Tools to connect practice to real exam outcomes.
👉 Check out RevisionDojo’s AP Gov Political Party Tools here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many political party systems should I know?
A: Six — from Federalists vs Democratic-Republicans to the modern divided era.
Q: What’s the difference between realignment and dealignment?
A: Realignment = major coalition shift. Dealignment = decline in party loyalty.
Q: Do third parties matter for AP Gov?
A: Yes — they rarely win but influence debates and elections.
Q: Will I have to write about Democrats vs Republicans today?
A: No — focus on historical shifts, coalitions, and party roles.
Q: How does RevisionDojo help with political parties?
A: With timelines, flashcards, FRQ practice, and trackers that organize content by theme.
Final Thoughts
Political parties are the backbone of U.S. democracy — and a recurring AP Gov theme. To succeed:
- Learn party eras and coalitions.
- Master realignment vs dealignment.
- Understand modern party differences.
- Connect to other AP Gov units (elections, media, interest groups).
- Use RevisionDojo’s study tools to keep party history clear and exam-ready.
