Republican Party
History, evolution, and platform
History
Founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists and there were 18 United States presidents from 1860 to 1932 starting with Abraham Lincoln. The party has been one of the 2 major parties in America's political system.
Evolution
The Republican party lost a lot favor in the publics eye because of the great depression. A Republican president, Herbert Hoover, was in office when the economy crashed and took a lot of the blame for the crash. Hoover also took the blame with his "rugged individualism" after the crash. FDR's new deal became a topic of dispute for the party, the old right didn't like it. Eisenhower attempted to moderate the party but was unsuccessful. That section slowly became the conservative party that we have today.
Key Leaders
George Bush
Last Republican president from 2001-2009. Only won popular vote in 2004.
Theodore Roosevelt
Very popular president at the beginning of the 20th century. Where "Teddy Bear" came from.
Dwight Eisenhower
The previously mentioned president and served from 1953 to 1961.
Platform
Conservatism
Republican's today preach conservatism. Social conservatism, a capitalist economy, and preemptive war to attack terrorism and promote democracy around the world.