Final answer:
Prior to 1944, political parties often had a strong influence on government policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to 1944, political parties often had a strong influence on government policies. National political parties as we understand them today did not really exist in the United States during the early years of the republic. Most politics during the time of the nation's founding were local in nature and based on elite politics, limited suffrage, and property ownership. These parties championed a relatively narrow set of causes and failed to gain broad support among the electorate.