The Evolution of Republicans
By Addie Gantt
The First 2 Party System
The first Republican Party was active between 1780 and 1800. They focused there attention on states rights along with having a strict interpretation of the constitution. Agriculture and rural life are what they preferred, as well as pulling for strength in the south and west. On the issue of foreign policy, they sided and felt with France. Lastly, at this time, this party stressed civil freedom and put there trust in the common people.
The Second 2 Party System
Now named Whigs, the republican party, or as close to the republican party as it got, was the party of Modernization. These people where present from 1836 to 1850. They looked forward to the future and spoke to the hopes of Americans. This party urged to use the federal and state governments to promote economic growth, specifically in transportation and banks. Whigs advocated for public schools, prison reform, and temperance. These people were entrepreneurs who favored big business, urban growth, and free labor. When taking about expansion, the Whigs favored it gradually and opposed the Mexican War. Many of there beliefs are based on the practice of progress through internal growth. The whig ideology favor in the north was later brought to the south by whigs, which included urbanization, industrialization, federal rights, and commercial expansion.
Mid -19th Century Political Crisis
The True Republican party got together in 1854 when Independent Democrats, Free Soilers, and Conscience Whigs got together to oppose the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. At this point in time, Republicans stressed free labor and and opposed the expansion of slavery territories. Moderates, like President Abraham Lincoln could oppose slavery morally, but at the same time not deny it because it technically was allowed in the constitution. During the presidential race of 1856, John C. Freemont was the first Republican candidate to run for office.
The Election of 1860
By 1860, the Republican Party had become overtly sectional, and opposed slavery to draw in Northerners because of the Homestead Act, the Protective Tariff, and transportation improvements. Their beliefs opposed slavery but defended that right that states could choose their own institutions and systems. Abe Lincoln was then nominated as a Republican for the Presidential Election of 1860.
The Gilded Age
During this age, the viewpoints of each of the political parties were blurred because of region, ethnic, and religious differences. Republicans were pro business as well as being opposed to economic reform. They also, along with democrats supported sound currency, and supported the existing status quo in the financial system of America. At this time in history, Republicans dominated the senate. They also had many splinter groups during this time period, including Mugwumps, Halfbreeds, and Stalwarts.
The Progressive Era
During the Progressive Era, 2 of the 3 presidents were Republicans (Roosevelt and Taft). They supported capitalism, yet believed that Lassiez-Faire didn't exist. These Presidents also believed that reformed institutions would replace corrupt power and applied the principles of science and efficiency to all aspects of life. The belief that the government played a strong role in an orderly, stable, and improved society. Roosevelt and Taft also believed that the government had the power to fight special interest and work for the good of the community. At this time, political parties were singled out as being corrupt and inefficient. They proposed that power could be kept out of the hands of the government is the power was held with the people. These Progressives eventually co-opted many of the movements that led to the 16th-19th Amendments.
The Republican Era
From 1921 to the year 1933, both the executive and legislative branches were dominated by Republicans. Republicans were still pro-business. They experimented with new ideas on public policy and were an active agent in economic change. Republicans faced conflicts regarding Prohibition, immigration restriction, and race relations. This period was the time in which leisure and relaxation replaced work and self-denial.
The Political Legacy of the New Deal
Democrats were put into power when the New Deal was enacted. Republicans fell into the shadows for a while, leaving democrats to split into two groups; those who felt for States Rights and the Progressives. Voter interest was awakened on economic matters and the involvement of the government in American life. Truman came up with the Fair Deal, which more so involved the government in everyday American life than anything else.
Post WWII Politics
In 1952, the Republicans ran Dwight D. Eisenhour for president. They also felt that the democrats were being "soft" on communism. Along with promising to end the Korean war, they also had Dixiecrats start associating themselves with the republican party.
Nixon's New Federalism
The Republican party opposed the war in Vietnam and opposed federal social programs, as well as bringing many Democrats to vote in favor of the Republican Party. They run former V.P. Nixon in 1978, who runs with a platform of anti-war and "silent majority" appeals. Nixon advocated cutting back federal power and returning the power to the states. This practice was called New Federalism.
Reagan and the "New Night"
Spurred on by several reasons involving the Democratic party, many southern states began pulling in the Republican favor. Many types of people, including conservative christians, southern whites, and affluent ethnic suburbanites supported Ronald Reagan in 1980 because of his political platform of "Law and Order". This included opinions on anything from stricter laws against crime and pornography to a cut in taxes. Reagan later when on to stop the expansion of the federal government, not reducing it size or scope of powers along the way.
A Republican's View on 5 Key Issues
1.Abortion: We support the human life amendment and oppose abortion funding.
2.Education: Believe in restructuring for a higher education, which leaves less students working lower end jobs.
3. Health Care: We oppose the affordable care act of 2010.
4. Environment: We believe that conservation is a conservative value, but we prefer to balance it economically.
5. Gun Control: We are against gun control. This leaves us wanting the right to obtain and store ammunition without registration.