Background

Presidential Nomination

The Republican Party nominates its candidate for President at its National Convention through delegates who case votes on behalf of voters and the party leadership. More information on the nomination system can be found at Republican Presidential Nomination System.

The Grand Old Party

Founded in 1854 by like-minded Whigs, Northern Democrats, and Free-Soilers, the Republican Party began with an anti-slavery, pro-modernization platform. With its main base of support in the Northeast and Midwest, the Republicans held their first national convention in 1856 and later ran John C. Fremont as their candidate for president. Though the Republicans were considered a third party next to the Democratic and then dwindling Whig Party, Fremont still garnered 33% of the vote.

The Party of Lincoln

First Republican President & By Far the Most Popular

Republican prominence in the American political arena began with the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. With Lincoln came an array of Congressional legislation that promoted modernization, incurred a huge national debt, levied the first temporary income tax, established high tariffs, and established a national banking system. Following the Civil War, the GOP pushed through the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments (following Lincoln's bold Emancipation Proclamation) and advocated hard money, big business and generous pensions for Union veterans.

Defining the Modern Republican

With a strong standing among Protestants in the 1890s, the Republicans demanded prohibition, pushing many German Americans to the Democratic Party, later deeming that party full of "Rum, Romanism and Rebellion," for the Democrats supposed drunkenness, Roman Catholicism, and earlier secession from the Union. The Progressive era in the early 20th century was a realigning period for the Republicans; in 1896 William McKinley entered the White House relying on finance, railroads, industry and altogether big business. Falling to an assassins bullet in 1901, McKinley's vice-president Theodore Roosevelt took office. After securing election in 1904, Roosevelt flipped the Republican, pro-business party on its arse, attacking big business and busting the trusts.

Republican: Anti-Big Business, Environmentalist, Progressivist...err

Splitting the party into conservative and progressive factions, Roosevelt ran, and lost, on a Progressive ticket in 1912. Regaining the presidency in the 1920s, the Republicans opposed Democratic President Wilson's League of Nations, high tariffs and fought for business. At this point, the Party put on the makeup that we recognize today; little government, laissez-faire economics and big business. Political disaster came in the form of the Great Depression, as the Republicans quite simply could not break from platform to save the country in the way FDR was willing and able to.

Fighting the New Deal

The dark ages of the Republican Party fell during the 1930s and early 40s; with Roosevelt and his New Deal Coalition in the White House and Democrats controlling Congress, there was little that could be done by the GOP. The Republicans split themselves in two as a minority party in Congress; the left wing of the Party supported New Deal legislation, though claimed the Republicans could run it better, while the right wing opposed it all together. It wasn't until the mid-40s that the GOP won back control of Congress and in 1952 Eisenhower entered the White House. Control of the Oval Office fluctuated, the GOP losing to Kennedy and LBJ yet gaining it back under Nixon in 1968; though, with the realization that New Deal programs couldn't be revived under JBJ's Great Society and the Vietnam War still raging, the American electorate needed something different. The GOP would find its savior in a one time actor from California.

"It's Morning in America Again!"

Ronald Reagan won election in 1980 and re-election in 1984. Winning nearly all fifty states on re-election, it was clear that America needed a new direction, and that Reagan was their man. Pulling in support from a strong Conservative, Christian Republican base, Reagan supplemented with what was considered "Reagan Democrats," white, blue collared workers who supported the President's pro-life social stance and anti-Communism foreign policy.

Every Conservatives Hero

Implementing supply-side economics (Reaganomics) and establishing the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI, "Star Wars" by critics), Reagan ensured the economic stability of the U.S. and curtailed the Soviet presence, all the while ensuring that his successor, George H. W. Bush, would be elected. Continuing Reagan policies, Bush I enjoyed a term as president but was kicked out in 1992 with the New Democrat Bill Clinton. After a tumultuous 2 terms, Clinton left the Oval Office and Bush II entered, carrying the Conservative torch lit by Reagan years earlier. The rest, as they say, is history.

So, What Is a Republican?

Structure

Recent Developments

Accomplishments

Criticism

Additional Information