Final answer:
The Republican Party's support has waned at times due to shifts in public beliefs following major events such as the Great Depression, the Affordable Care Act, and internal party disagreements over federal government's role.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Republican Party passed temporarily out of existence during certain periods in history due to shifts in public beliefs and attitudes influenced by major events. In the 1930s, after the stock market crash and the onset of the Great Depression, many citizens lost faith in the Republicans and overwhelmingly voted for the Democratic Party, which then gained more registered members. This ideological shift was not unique, as similar changes occurred with the emergence of the Tea Party in response to the Affordable Care Act and during internal disputes within the party itself on the role of federal government. These shifts, alongside strategic voting and legislative actions, have periodically altered the political landscape and support for the Republican Party.