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1950 United States House of Representatives elections Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: The 1950 United States House of Representatives Elections: Analysis and Outcomes

Cheat Sheet:
The 1950 United States House of Representatives Elections: Analysis and Outcomes Study Guide

National Overview and Political Context

The 1950 United States House of Representatives elections were primarily held in early September, with a few states holding them later in November.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 1950 U.S. House elections were primarily held on November 7, 1950, with only Maine holding its elections earlier in September.

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President Harry Truman's popularity was at an all-time high during the 1950 U.S. House elections, which positively impacted the Democratic Party's performance.

Answer: False

Explanation: President Truman's popularity experienced a significant decline during the 1950 U.S. House elections, coinciding with the beginning of the Korean War, which contributed to the Democratic Party's net loss of seats.

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The Democratic Party gained a net of 28 seats from the Republican Party in the 1950 U.S. House elections.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Democratic Party lost a net of 28 seats to the Republican Party in the 1950 U.S. House elections, decreasing their total from 263 to 235 seats.

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The Democratic Party's popular vote percentage in the 1950 U.S. House elections was higher than that of the Republican Party.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Democratic Party received 49.6% of the popular vote, while the Republican Party received 48.9%, indicating a higher percentage for the Democrats.

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The Democratic Party experienced a popular vote increase of 3.0 percentage points in the 1950 elections.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Democratic Party experienced a decrease of 3.0 percentage points in their popular vote share in the 1950 elections.

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The Republican Party saw an increase of 3.5 percentage points in their popular vote share in the 1950 elections.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Republican Party experienced an increase of 3.5 percentage points in their popular vote share in the 1950 elections.

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The total popular vote across all parties in the 1950 U.S. House elections exceeded 50 million votes.

Answer: False

Explanation: The total popular vote across all parties in the 1950 U.S. House elections was 40,341,883 votes, which is less than 50 million.

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On what date were the 1950 United States House of Representatives elections primarily held?

Answer: November 7, 1950

Explanation: The 1950 U.S. House elections were primarily held on November 7, 1950, with Maine being an exception.

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What significant event coincided with the 1950 U.S. House elections and contributed to President Truman's declining popularity?

Answer: The beginning of the Korean War

Explanation: The 1950 U.S. House elections coincided with the beginning of the Korean War, which significantly contributed to President Truman's declining popularity.

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How many seats did the Democratic Party lose to the Republican Party in the 1950 U.S. House elections?

Answer: 28 seats

Explanation: The Democratic Party experienced a net loss of 28 seats to the Republican Party in the 1950 U.S. House elections.

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What was the popular vote percentage for the Democratic Party in the 1950 U.S. House elections?

Answer: 49.6%

Explanation: The Democratic Party received 49.6% of the popular vote in the 1950 U.S. House elections.

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What was the popular vote swing for the Republican Party in the 1950 elections?

Answer: An increase of 3.5 percentage points

Explanation: The Republican Party experienced an increase of 3.5 percentage points in their popular vote share in the 1950 elections.

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What was the total popular vote across all parties in the 1950 U.S. House elections?

Answer: Approximately 40 million votes

Explanation: The total popular vote across all parties in the 1950 U.S. House elections was 40,341,883 votes, which is approximately 40 million.

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Congressional Leadership and Structure

A total of 435 seats were contested in the 1950 U.S. House elections, requiring 218 seats for a majority.

Answer: True

Explanation: All 435 seats in the House of Representatives were up for election in 1950, and 218 seats were necessary to form a majority.

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Joseph Martin, a Democrat, served as the Speaker of the House both before and after the 1950 elections.

Answer: False

Explanation: Joseph Martin was the Republican leader, not the Speaker. Sam Rayburn, a Democrat, was the Speaker both before and after the 1950 elections.

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Sam Rayburn, representing Texas's 4th congressional district, was the Democratic leader in the House during the 1950 elections.

Answer: True

Explanation: Sam Rayburn, representing Texas's 4th congressional district, served as the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives during the 1950 elections.

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How many seats were required to secure a majority in the United States House of Representatives during the 1950 elections?

Answer: 218 seats

Explanation: To secure a majority in the 1950 U.S. House of Representatives, 218 seats were required out of the total 435 contested seats.

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Who was the Republican leader in the House of Representatives during the 1950 elections?

Answer: Joseph Martin

Explanation: Joseph Martin, representing Massachusetts's 14th congressional district, served as the Republican leader in the House during the 1950 elections.

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Who served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives both before and after the 1950 elections?

Answer: Sam Rayburn

Explanation: Sam Rayburn, a Democrat, held the position of Speaker of the United States House of Representatives both before and after the 1950 elections.

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Special Elections and Their Results

There were exactly three special elections held during the year of the 1950 U.S. House elections.

Answer: False

Explanation: A total of six special elections were held throughout the year of the 1950 U.S. House elections.

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How many special elections were conducted during the year of the 1950 U.S. House elections?

Answer: Six

Explanation: There were six special elections held throughout the year of the 1950 U.S. House elections.

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What was the outcome of the special election in New Jersey's 7th congressional district in February 1950?

Answer: A Republican hold

Explanation: In New Jersey's 7th congressional district, William B. Widnall (Republican) was elected in a special election, maintaining a Republican hold after the incumbent's resignation.

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Which party gained a seat in the special election for Texas's 18th congressional district in May 1950?

Answer: Republican Party

Explanation: In Texas's 18th congressional district, Ben H. Guill (Republican) won the special election, marking a Republican gain.

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Incumbent Dynamics: Retirements and Renominations

In Tennessee's 1st congressional district, the incumbent Dayton E. Phillips (Republican) lost renomination but successfully won re-election as an Independent.

Answer: False

Explanation: Dayton E. Phillips lost renomination and was subsequently defeated as an Independent candidate; the seat was won by Republican B. Carroll Reece.

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Following the death of Martin Gorski (Democratic) in Illinois's 5th congressional district, a Republican candidate won the special election.

Answer: False

Explanation: Following Martin Gorski's death, John C. Kluczynski (Democratic) won the election, maintaining a Democratic hold on the seat.

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Richard Nixon, the incumbent in California's 12th congressional district, retired to run for Governor of California.

Answer: False

Explanation: Richard Nixon retired from California's 12th congressional district to run for U.S. senator, not Governor of California.

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Helen Gahagan Douglas (Democratic) retired from California's 14th congressional district to run for U.S. senator, and the seat remained a Democratic hold.

Answer: True

Explanation: Helen Gahagan Douglas retired to run for U.S. senator, and Sam Yorty (Democratic) won the seat, maintaining a Democratic hold.

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Mike Monroney (Democratic) retired from Oklahoma's 5th congressional district to run for U.S. senator, and the seat was successfully held by a Democrat.

Answer: True

Explanation: Mike Monroney retired to run for U.S. senator, and John Jarman (Democratic) won the seat, ensuring a Democratic hold.

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In Ohio's 8th congressional district, Frederick Cleveland Smith (Republican) retired, and the seat was subsequently won by a Democrat.

Answer: False

Explanation: Frederick Cleveland Smith (Republican) retired, and Jackson Edward Betts (Republican) won the election, maintaining a Republican hold on the seat.

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Which Democratic incumbent retired in Florida's 1st congressional district, and who won the seat?

Answer: J. Hardin Peterson, succeeded by Chester B. McMullen (Democratic)

Explanation: J. Hardin Peterson (Democratic) retired from Florida's 1st congressional district, and Chester B. McMullen (Democratic) won the seat uncontested.

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Why did Richard Nixon, the incumbent in California's 12th congressional district, retire?

Answer: To run for U.S. senator

Explanation: Richard Nixon retired from his congressional seat in California's 12th district to pursue a campaign for U.S. senator.

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Who succeeded the retiring Republican incumbent John C. Sanborn in Idaho's 2nd congressional district?

Answer: Hamer H. Budge

Explanation: Hamer H. Budge (Republican) won the election in Idaho's 2nd congressional district, succeeding the retiring Republican incumbent John C. Sanborn.

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Which Democratic incumbent lost renomination in South Carolina's 2nd congressional district, and who won the seat?

Answer: Hugo S. Sims Jr., succeeded by John J. Riley (Democratic).

Explanation: Hugo S. Sims Jr. (Democratic) lost renomination in South Carolina's 2nd congressional district, and John J. Riley (Democratic) won the seat, maintaining a Democratic hold.

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What was the outcome for the incumbent George G. Sadowski in Michigan's 1st congressional district?

Answer: He lost renomination but the seat remained Democratic.

Explanation: George G. Sadowski (Democratic) lost renomination in Michigan's 1st congressional district, but Thaddeus M. Machrowicz (Democratic) won the election, keeping the seat Democratic.

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District-Specific Electoral Shifts

Compton I. White (Democratic) retired from Idaho's 1st congressional district to run for governor, leading to a Republican gain in the seat.

Answer: False

Explanation: Compton I. White (Democratic) retired from Idaho's 1st congressional district to run for U.S. senator, not governor, and the seat was indeed a Republican gain.

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All Democratic incumbents in Illinois's 2nd, 3rd, and 4th congressional districts successfully defended their seats in the 1950 elections.

Answer: False

Explanation: Democratic incumbents Barratt O'Hara (2nd district), Neil J. Linehan (3rd district), and James V. Buckley (4th district) all lost re-election to Republican challengers.

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In New York's 20th congressional district, Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. was re-elected as a Liberal Party candidate, maintaining the Liberal Party's hold on the seat.

Answer: False

Explanation: Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. was re-elected as a Democrat, having previously represented the Liberal Party, marking a Democratic gain for the seat.

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Who won the election in California's 9th congressional district, marking a Republican gain?

Answer: Allan O. Hunter

Explanation: Allan O. Hunter (Republican) won the election in California's 9th congressional district, defeating the incumbent Cecil F. White (Democratic) and securing a Republican gain.

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In Illinois's 2nd congressional district, what was the outcome for the Democratic incumbent Barratt O'Hara?

Answer: He lost re-election to a Republican.

Explanation: Barratt O'Hara (Democratic) lost re-election in Illinois's 2nd congressional district to Republican Richard B. Vail.

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What was the outcome for Vito Marcantonio, the American Labor Party incumbent in New York's 18th congressional district?

Answer: He lost re-election to a Democratic candidate.

Explanation: Vito Marcantonio, the American Labor Party incumbent, lost re-election in New York's 18th congressional district to James G. Donovan (Democratic).

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In Ohio's 14th congressional district, what was the result for the Democratic incumbent Walter B. Huber?

Answer: He lost re-election to a Republican.

Explanation: Walter B. Huber (Democratic) lost re-election in Ohio's 14th congressional district to William Hanes Ayres (Republican).

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Who gained the seat in Oklahoma's 1st congressional district, and what was the result for the incumbent?

Answer: Dixie Gilmer (Democratic) lost re-election to George B. Schwabe (Republican).

Explanation: In Oklahoma's 1st congressional district, incumbent Dixie Gilmer (Democratic) lost re-election to George B. Schwabe (Republican), resulting in a Republican gain.

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What was the outcome for the at-large Democratic incumbent in Ohio, Stephen M. Young?

Answer: He lost re-election to a Republican.

Explanation: Stephen M. Young (Democratic), the at-large incumbent in Ohio, lost re-election to Republican George H. Bender.

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In Pennsylvania's 23rd congressional district, what happened to the incumbent Anthony Cavalcante (Democratic)?

Answer: He lost re-election to Edward L. Sittler Jr. (Republican).

Explanation: Anthony Cavalcante (Democratic) lost re-election in Pennsylvania's 23rd congressional district to Edward L. Sittler Jr. (Republican).

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Third Parties and Independent Candidates

The 1950 U.S. House elections were notable for being the first time since 1908 that no third parties acquired any seats in the House of Representatives, with the exception of one Independent.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 1950 elections marked the first time since 1908 that no third parties won seats, though one Independent candidate did secure a seat.

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The American Labor Party won one seat in the 1950 U.S. House elections, despite a decrease in their popular vote percentage.

Answer: False

Explanation: The American Labor Party won no seats in the 1950 U.S. House elections, experiencing a decrease of one seat from the previous election.

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The Liberal Party in New York gained a seat in the 1950 elections, increasing their representation in the House.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Liberal Party won no seats in the 1950 U.S. House elections, representing a decrease of one seat from the previous election.

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The Prohibition Party won at least one seat in the 1950 U.S. House elections.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Prohibition Party won no seats in the 1950 U.S. House elections, receiving only 0.1% of the popular vote.

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The States' Rights Democratic Party received over 1,000 votes in the 1950 U.S. House elections.

Answer: False

Explanation: The States' Rights Democratic Party received only 147 votes in the 1950 U.S. House elections.

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What was a unique historical aspect of the 1950 U.S. House elections regarding third parties?

Answer: It was the first time since 1908 that no third parties acquired any seats.

Explanation: The 1950 U.S. House elections were historically significant as no third parties acquired any seats for the first time since 1908.

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In Ohio's 9th congressional district, what was unique about Frazier Reams' victory?

Answer: He won as an Independent candidate.

Explanation: Frazier Reams' victory in Ohio's 9th congressional district was unique because he won as an Independent candidate, defeating the Democratic incumbent.

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Which third party received the highest popular vote percentage in the 1950 elections but won no seats?

Answer: American Labor Party

Explanation: The American Labor Party received the highest popular vote percentage among third parties at 0.6% but failed to win any seats.

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