University of Central Florida (UCF) AMH2020 U.S. History: 1877-Present Practice Exam

The group of Independent Republicans who supported Grover Cleveland in the election of 1884 is known as the Mugwumps. This faction consisted primarily of reform-minded Republicans who were disillusioned with the party's candidate, James G. Blaine, due to concerns about corruption and scandal surrounding his political career. The Mugwumps believed that Cleveland, a Democrat, represented honesty and integrity, which motivated them to cross party lines in support of him.

Their support was significant not only in terms of voter influence but also because it indicated a shift in party loyalty based on ethical considerations rather than strict adherence to party lines. The Mugwumps played a critical role in Cleveland's narrow victory, highlighting the importance of integrity and reform in the political landscape of the time. This election marked a notable moment in U.S. history where a significant faction within the Republican Party prioritized personal values over partisan loyalty.

The other options, while related to various political movements and ideologies, do not accurately describe the specific group that supported Cleveland during this election. Progressives generally emerged later in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Radicals were typically associated with more extreme or revolutionary ideologies, and Separatists do not pertain to this context