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Republican Party (United States)

For a detailed history and bibliography see History of the United States Republican Party History of the United States Republican Party

The Republican Party [i] of the United States [i] was established in 1854 and is one of the t ... 

. For the Republican Party which flourished 17921830, see Early Republican Party. For a similar name in other countries, see Republican Party.
The Republican Party is one of the two major political organizations in the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

' two party system; its great rival is the Democratic Party. In addition to controlling the Executive Branch since 2001, the Republican Party has held majorities in the United States Senate United States Senate

he United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the Congress of the United States [i], the other b ... 

 and United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers [i] of the United States Congress [i] ... 

 since 1995 except for 18 months in the Senate from 2001-2 controlled by the Democrats.

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Timeline

1874   ''Harper's Weekly Harper's Magazine

Harper's Magazine is a monthly general-interest magazine [i] covering literature, politics, culture, ... 

'' publishes a cartoon Cartoon

A cartoon is any of several forms of art, with varied meanings that evolved from one to another.... 

 by Thomas Nast Thomas Nast

Thomas Nast was a famous caricaturist [i] and editorial cartoonist [i] in the 19th century [i] and is c ... 

 considered the first important use of an elephant Elephant

Elephantidae is a family [i] of pachyderm [i], and the only remaining family in th ... 

 as a symbol for the Republican Party Republican Party (United States)

For a detailed history and bibliography see History of the United States Republican Party [i]. ... 

. .

1910   In America, Republican Republican Party (United States)

For a detailed history and bibliography see History of the United States Republican Party [i]. ... 

s reduce the powers of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to influence Committee membership.

1912   Dissident Republicans Republican Party (United States)

For a detailed history and bibliography see History of the United States Republican Party [i]. ... 

 form the Progressive or Bull Moose Progressive Party (United States, 1912)

The United States Progressive Party of 1912 was a political party created by a split in the Republican P... 

 Party, and nominate former President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. , also known as T.R. and to the public as Teddy, was the 26th President of the United States [i] ... 

 as their presidential candidate.

1916   Republican Republican Party (United States)

For a detailed history and bibliography see History of the United States Republican Party [i]. ... 

 Jeannette Rankin Jeannette Rankin

Jeannette Rankin was the first woman [i] elected to the U.S. House of Representatives [i] ... 

 of Montana Montana

Montana is a state [i] in the Pacific Northwest [i] and Great Plains [i] regions of the United States [i] ... 

 becomes the first woman elected to the United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers [i] of the United States Congress [i] ... 

.

1928   Pineapple Primary - Republican Party Republican Party (United States)

For a detailed history and bibliography see History of the United States Republican Party [i]. ... 

 primary elections in Chicago Chicago

Chicago is the largest city [i] in the U.S. state [i] of Illinois [i], as well as the third-most populous [i] ... 

 preceded by assassinations and bombings

1940   U.S. politics: Republican Party Republican Party (United States)

For a detailed history and bibliography see History of the United States Republican Party [i]. ... 

 begins its national convention in Philadelphia Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, colloquially referred to as Philly, and known as The City of Brotherly Love i... 

 and nominates Wendell Willkie Wendell Willkie

Wendell Lewis Willkie was a lawyer in the United States [i] and the Republican [i] ... 

 as its candidate for president

1946   Senate United States Senate election, 1946

The U.S. Senate election, 1946 was an election for the United States Senate [i] in the middle of Democratic [i] ... 

 and House United States House election, 1946

The U.S. House election, 1946 was an election for the United States House of Representatives [i] in 1946 ... 

 elections in the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 both give majorities to the Republicans Republican Party (United States)

For a detailed history and bibliography see History of the United States Republican Party [i]. ... 

.

1966   Actor Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President [i] of the United States [i] ... 

, a Republican Republican Party (United States)

For a detailed history and bibliography see History of the United States Republican Party [i]. ... 

, is elected Governor of California California

California is a state [i] spanning the southern half of the west coast [i] ... 

.

1974   Three Republican Republican Party (United States)

For a detailed history and bibliography see History of the United States Republican Party [i]. ... 

 congressional leaders (Barry Goldwater Barry Goldwater

Barry Morris Goldwater was the American [i] politician most often credited for sparking t ... 

, Hugh Scott Hugh Scott

Hugh Doggett Scott, Jr. was an American [i] Republican politician from Pennsylvania [i] wh ... 

 and John Rhodes) visit President Nixon Richard Nixon

Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States [i], serving from 1969 to 1974. ... 

 in the White House White House

The White House is the official home and principal workplace of the President of the United States of America [i] ... 

. They inform him that he lacks the votes to escape impeachment Impeachment

In the constitution [i]s of several countries, impeachment is the first of two stages in a specific proc ... 

 in the House of Representatives and conviction in the Senate.

1991   David Duke David Duke

David Ernest Duke is a former Louisiana [i] Republican [i] State Representative [i] ... 

, a white supremacist running as a Republican Republican Party (United States)

For a detailed history and bibliography see History of the United States Republican Party [i]. ... 

, loses the Louisiana Louisiana

cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"> ... 

 Governor's race to Democratic Democracy

Democracy is a form of government [i] for a nation state, or for an organiz ... 

 candidate Edwin Edwards Edwin Edwards

Edwin Washington Edwards served as the Democratic governor of Louisiana [i] for four terms, more terms t ... 

, by an overwhelming margin.

   More Events >>



Encyclopedia

For a detailed history and bibliography see History of the United States Republican Party History of the United States Republican Party

The Republican Party [i] of the United States [i] was established in 1854 and is one of the t... 

. For the Republican Party which flourished 1792–1830, see Early Republican Party. For a similar name in other countries, see Republican Party.


The Republican Party is one of the two major political organizations in the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

' two party system; its great rival is the Democratic Party.

In addition to controlling the Executive Branch since 2001, the Republican Party has held majorities in the United States Senate United States Senate

he United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the Congress of the United States [i], the other b ... 

 and United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers [i] of the United States Congress [i] ... 

 since 1995 except for 18 months in the Senate from 2001-2 controlled by the Democrats. Republicans currently hold 28 governorships and have majorities in 20 state legislatures.

Normally the sitting president is the leader of his party, controlling the national committee and taking the roles of chief spokesman and chief fundraiser. President Bush selected Ken Mehlman Ken Mehlman

Kenneth B. Mehlman is the chair of the Republican National Committee [i].... 

 as the chairman of the Republican National Committee Republican National Committee

The Republican National Committee provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States [i] ... 

 in January 2005.

Ideology

The Republican Party since 1896 has been more socially conservative American conservatism

American conservatism is a constellation of political ideologies within the United States [i] under the ... 

 and economically libertarian Libertarianism

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|-
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Libertarianism is a political philosophy [i] advocating that individuals should be free to do ... 

 of the two major parties, and has closer ties to both Wall Street Wall Street

Wall Street is the name of a narrow street [i] in lower Manhattan [i] in New York City [i], running eas... 

  and Main Street Main Street

Main Street is the generic street name [i] of the primary retail street of a village [i], town [i], or s ... 

 . Republicans have a strong belief in personal responsibility, smaller government, and corporate entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is the practice of starting new organization [i]s, particularly new business [i]es gene ... 

. In his 1981 inaugural address, Republican President Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President [i] of the United States [i] ... 

 summed up his belief in limited government when he said, "In the present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem."

Economically, Republicans emphasize the role of corporate and personal decision making in fostering economic prosperity. They support free-market policies favoring economic liberalism and capitalism Capitalism


Capitalism is an economic system [i] in which the means of production [i] are owned mostly privately, ... 

 with limited regulation. The predominant economic theory held by modern Republicans is Reaganomics. Popularized by Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President [i] of the United States [i] ... 

, this theory holds that reduced income tax rates increase GDP Gross domestic product

A region's gross domestic product, or GDP, is one of the several measures [i] ... 

 growth and thereby generate more revenue for the government from the taxes on the extra growth. This belief is reflected, in part, by the party's long-term advocacy of tax cuts, a major Republican theme since the 1920s. Republicans contend that a series of income tax cuts since 2001 has bolstered the economy. Many Republicans consider the income tax system to be inherently inefficient and unfairly disproportionate for those who create jobs and wealth. They believe private spending is usually more efficient than government spending.

Socially, Republicans agree there should be a "safety net" to assist the less fortunate; however, they favor programs that are less expensive, more reliant on private funding and include stricter requirements for eligibility. The majority of the GOP's national and state candidates oppose abortion Abortion

An abortion is the removal or expulsion of an embryo [i] or fetus [i] from the uterus [i], resulting in,... 

, oppose the legalization of same sex marriage Same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage is the union [i] of two people who are of the same biological sex [i], or gender [i] ... 

, and favor faith-based initiatives. They support welfare benefit reductions and oppose racial quotas but are split regarding the desirability of affirmative action for women and minorities. Some Republicans support school choice through charter school Charter school

Charter schools are publicly funded elementary or secondary schools that have been freed from some of th... 

s and education vouchers; and many have denounced the performance of the public school system and the teachers' union. Starting with the No Child Left Behind Act No Child Left Behind Act

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, commonly known as NCLB, is a United States federal law that ... 

 of 2001, the party has demanded a stronger system of accountability for public schools.

The party staunchly opposes a single payer universal health care system, such as that found in Canada or in most of Europe, sometimes referring to it as "socialized medicine." and are in favor of the current personal or employer based system of insurance, supplemented by Medicare and Medicaid . Republican Governor Mitt Romney Mitt Romney

Willard Mitt Romney is the 70th Governor of Massachusetts [i]. ... 

 pushed through a state insurance plan in Massachusetts that won bipartisan support in 2006.

Republicans have a mixed record of supporting the historically popular Medicare and Medicaid Medicaid

Medicaid is the US [i] health insurance [i] program for individuals and families with low... 

 programs that provide medical care for seniors and the poor, respectively. On the one hand, congressional Republicans and the Bush administration supported a reduced rate of growth to Medicaid. On the other hand, congressional Republicans expanded Medicare, supporting a new drug plan for seniors, to the dismay of some fiscal conservatives.

The party is more aggressive than the Democrats on the high salience issue of illegal immigration that is currently under debate. Most of its membership favors capital punishment Capital punishment

Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is the execution [i] of a convicted criminal by the ... 

, supports gun ownership rights, and the religious wing of the party tends to support organized prayer in public schools and the inclusion of teaching creationism Creationism

In many religious [i] traditions, creationism refers to ideological [i] support of the ... 

 or intelligent design Intelligent design

Intelligent design is the concept that "certain features of the universe [i] and of living things are b... 

. Although the GOP has voted for increases in government funding of scientific research, many members actively oppose the federal funding of embryonic stem cell Embryonic stem cell

Embryonic stem cells are stem cell [i]s derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst [i], which is a ... 

 research because it involves the abortion Abortion

An abortion is the removal or expulsion of an embryo [i] or fetus [i] from the uterus [i], resulting in,... 

 of human embryos Embryo

An embryo is a multicellular [i] diploid [i] eukaryote [i] in its earliest stage of development [i] ... 

. They prefer to promote adult stem cell Adult stem cell

Adult stem cells are undifferentiated [i] cells [i] found throughout the body ... 

 research because it is already a medically proven alternative and has no connection to abortion.

Internationally, the party supports neoconservative Neoconservatism

Neoconservatism is a political current and ideology, mainly in the United States [i], which is generally ... 

 policies with regard to the War on Terror War on Terrorism

The War on Terrorism or War on Terror is the name used by the United States [i], enlisting the sup ... 

, including military efforts in Afghanistan Afghanistan

Afghanistan ; Persian [i]: ?????? ?????? ?????????, Pashto [i]:' ... 

 and the 2003 invasion of Iraq 2003 invasion of Iraq

The 2003 invasion of Iraq, termed "Operation Iraqi Freedom" by the US [i] administration, ... 

, and attempts to spread democracy in the Middle East Middle East

The Middle East is a subcontinent [i] for the historical [i] and cultural [i] ... 

 and around the world. The Bush administration supports the position that the Geneva Conventions Geneva Conventions

The Geneva Conventions consist of four treaties [i] formulated in Geneva [i], Switzerland [i], that set ... 

 do not apply to unlawful combatants. The party, through U.N. Ambassador Bolton John R. Bolton

John Robert Bolton is an American [i] diplomat, serving currently as the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations [i] ... 

, has advocated reforms in the UN United Nations

name = United Nations
Nations Unies
... 

 to halt corruption such as that which afflicted the Oil-for-Food Programme. The GOP opposes the Kyoto Protocol Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an amendment to the i... 

, claiming that the treaty would be ineffective to accomplish its stated goal to reduce global warming and that the cost would be slowed global economic growth Economic growth

Economic growth is the increase in value of the goods and services produced by an economy [i]. ... 

. They also point to the uneven application of the Protocol to countries such as China China

China is a cultural region [i] and ancient civilization [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

 and India India

India , officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

. Most Republicans have strongly promoted free trade agreements, most notably NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement

The North American Free Trade Agreement is a free trade [i] agreement among Canada [i], the United States of America [i] ... 

, CAFTA Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement

The Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement, commonly called DR-CAFTA, is a ... 

 and now an effort to go further south to Brazil Brazil

Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest and most populous country [i] ... 

.

Symbols



The Democrats History of the United States Democratic Party

The History of the Democratic Party [i] is an account of a continuously supported political party [i] ... 

 have been around longer by 25 years or so, but the term Grand Old Party is a traditional nickname for the Republicans, and the acronym G.O.P. is commonly used designation. According to the Oxford English Dictionary Oxford English Dictionary

The Oxford English Dictionary is a dictionary [i] published by the Oxford University Press [i] , an ... 

 the first known reference to the Republican party as the "grand old party" came in 1876. The first use of the abbreviation G.O.P. is dated 1884.

The mascot symbol, historically, is the elephant Elephant

Elephantidae is a family [i] of pachyderm [i], and the only remaining family in th... 

. A political cartoon by Thomas Nast Thomas Nast

Thomas Nast was a famous caricaturist [i] and editorial cartoonist [i] in the 19th century [i] and is c ... 

, published in Harper's Weekly Harper's Magazine

Harper's Magazine is a monthly general-interest magazine [i] covering literature, politics, culture, ... 

on 7 November 1874, is considered the first important use of the symbol. In the early 20th century, the usual symbol of the Republican Party in Midwestern states such as Indiana Indiana

Indiana, meaning the "Land of the Indians [i]," is a state i ... 

 and Ohio Ohio

Ohio is a Midwestern [i] state [i] of the United States [i].... 

 was the eagle Eagle

Eagles are large birds of prey [i] which inhabit mainly the Old World [i], with only two sp ... 

, as opposed to the Democratic donkey. This symbol still appears on Indiana ballots.

More recently, its unofficial color is red.

Historical Trends



For more detailed history and bibliography, see History of the United States Republican Party History of the United States Republican Party

The Republican Party [i] of the United States [i] was established in 1854 and is one of the t... 

.


The Republican Party was established in 1854 by a coalition of former Whigs, Northern Democrats History of the United States Democratic Party

The History of the Democratic Party [i] is an account of a continuously supported political party [i] ... 

, and Free-Soilers Free Soil Party

The Free Soil Party was a short-lived political party [i] in the United States [i] active in the 1848 an ... 

 who opposed the expansion of slavery History of slavery in the United States

*Frederick Douglass [i] - Nation's most powerful anti-slavery speaker, a former slave. ... 

 and held a vision for modernizing the United States. The party initially had its base in the Northeast Northeastern United States

[i] defined by the [[U.S. Census Bureau]... 

 and Midwest Midwestern United States

The Midwestern United States is a region of the north-central and northeastern United States of America [i] ... 

, but in recent decades it has increasingly shifted to the inland West Western United States

The Western United States, also referred to as the American West or simply The West, traditi... 

 and the South Southern United States

The Southern United States or the South constitutes a distinctive region [i] covering a large port ... 

.

Since the party fielded its first presidential candidate, John C. Frémont John C. Frémont

John Charles Frmont, born John Charles Fremon, was an American [i] military [i] officer [i] ... 

, in 1856, 18 of the 29 United States Presidents List of Presidents of the United States

The list includes only those persons who were sworn into office as President of the United States [i] followin ... 

 have been Republicans, including current President President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

 George W. Bush George W. Bush

This page is monitored by many people and bots, and joke edits are removed quickly.
... 

. It holds 28 out of 50 governorships, and controls 20 state legislatures compared to the Democratic Party's 19.

Third Party System: Birth, 1854–1860

The new party was created in 1854 as an act of defiance against what activists denounced as the Slave Power -the powerful class of slaveholders who were conspiring to control the federal government and to spread slavery nationwide. The party founders adopted the name "Republican," echoing 1776, to indicate it was the carrier of "republican" values regarding civic virtue, and opposition to aristocracy and corruption.

Besides opposition to slavery, the new party put forward a vision of modernization -emphasizing higher education, banking, railroads, industry, and cities, while promising free homesteads to farmers.



John C. Frémont John C. Frémont

John Charles Frmont, born John Charles Fremon, was an American [i] military [i] officer [i] ... 

 ran as the first Republican nominee for President, using the slogan: "Free soil, free labor, free speech, free men, Frémont." Although Frémont lost, his party showed a strong base. It dominated in New England New England

New England is a region of the United States [i] located in the northeastern corner of the country. ... 

, New York, and the northern Midwest, and had a strong presence in the rest of the North. It had almost no support in the South, where it was roundly denounced in 1856-1860 as a divisive force that threatened civil war. The election of Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln , sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitte... 

 in 1860 began a new era of Republican dominance based in the industrial Northeast and agricultural Midwest. Republicans still often refer to their party as the "party of Lincoln."

Civil War and the Era of Republican Dominance, 1860–1896

Lincoln proved brilliantly successful in uniting all the factions of his party to fight for the Union. However he often disagreed with the Radical Republicans who demanded harsher measures toward the South. In Congress the party passed major legislation to promote rapid modernization, including a national banking system, high tariffs, the first income tax, many excise taxes, paper money issued without backing , a huge national debt, homestead laws, and land grants to aid higher education, railroads and agriculture. The Republicans denounced the northern anti war Democrats as disloyal Copperheads Copperheads (politics)

The Copperheads were a faction of Democrats [i] in the Nor ... 

 and won enough War Democrats to maintain their majority in 1862, and reelect Lincoln by a landslide in 1864. During Reconstruction Reconstruction

Reconstruction was a period in United States [i] history, 18651876, that attempted to resolve the issues ... 

, 1865-1877, how to deal with the ex-Confederates and the freed slaves or Freedmen were the major issues. President Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson was the seventeenth President of the United States [i] , succeeding to the presidency up ... 

, never a Republican, broke with the Radicals in 1866. The showdown came in the Congressional elections of 1866, in which the Radicals won a sweeping victory and took full control of Reconstruction, passing key laws over Johnson's vetoes. The Radicals imposed Republican rule on the South -a coalition of Freedmen, Scalawags, and Carpetbaggers, who were deeply resented by the conservative ex-Confederates. Elected in 1868, Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant was an American [i] soldier and politician who was elected the 18th President of the United States [i] ... 

 supported radical reconstruction programs in the South, the Fourteenth Amendment Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution [i] is one of the post-Civil War [i] ... 

, equal civil and voting rights for the freedmen; most of all Grant was the hero of the war veterans, who marched to his tune. Reconstruction came to an end when the contested election of 1876 was awarded to Republican Rutherford B. Hayes Rutherford B. Hayes

Rutherford Birchard Hayes was an American politician [i], lawyer [i]... 

 who promised, through the unofficial Compromise of 1877, to withdraw federal troops from control of the last three Southern states. The region then became the Solid South, giving overwhelming majorities of its electoral votes and Congressional seats to the Democrats until 1964.

As the Northern post-war economy boomed with industry, railroads, mines, and fast-growing cities, as well as prosperous agriculture, the Republicans took credit and promoted policies to keep the fast growth going. The Democratic Party was largely controlled by pro-business Bourbon Democrats until 1896. The GOP supported big business generally, hard money , high tariff Tariff in American history

There are two sides to history of tariff [i]s in the Economic history of the United States [i]. ... 

s, and generous pensions for Union veterans. By 1890, the Republicans had agreed to the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Interstate Commerce Commission in response to complaints from owners of small businesses and farmers. Civil service reform was a bipartisan program that eliminated most patronage by 1900. Foreign affairs seldom became partisan issues . Much more salient were cultural issues. The GOP supported the pietistic Protestants who demanded Prohibition Prohibition

Prohibition is any of several periods during which the manufacture, transportation, import, export, and ... 

. That angered wet Republicans, especially German American German American

German Americans are citizens of the United States [i] of German [i] ancestry. ... 

s, who broke ranks in 1890-1892, handing power to the Democrats.

From 1860 to 1912, the Republicans took advantage of the association of the Democrats with "Rum, Romanism and Rebellion". Rum stood for the liquor interests and the tavern keepers, in contrast to the GOP, which had a strong dry element. "Romanism" meant Roman Catholicism Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian [i] Church [i] ... 

, especially the Irish, who staffed the Democratic Party in the large cities, and whom the Republicans denounced for political corruption. "Rebellion" stood for the Confederates who tried to break the Union in 1861, and the Copperheads Copperheads (politics)

The Copperheads were a faction of Democrats [i] in the Nor ... 

 in the North who sympathized with them.

Demographic trends aided the Democrats, as the German and Irish Catholic immigrants were mostly Democrats, and outnumbered the British and Scandinavian Republicans. During the 1880s elections were remarkably close. The Democrats usually lost but won in 1884 United States presidential election, 1884

The U.S. presidential election of 1884 featured excessive mudslinging and personal acrimony.... 

 and 1892 United States presidential election, 1892

The United States presidential election of 1892 was held on November 8 [i], 1892 [i]. ... 

). In the 1894 Congressional elections United States House election, 1894

The U.S. House election, 1894 was an election for the United States House of Representatives [i] in 1894... 

, the GOP scored the biggest landslide in its history, as Democrats were blamed for the severe economic depression 1893–1897 and the violent coal and railroad strikes of 1894.
See also American election campaigns in the 19th Century American election campaigns in the 19th Century

In the 19th century [i] the United States [i] invented or developed a number of new methods for conducting ... 


Fourth Party System: Progressive Era, 1896–1932

The election of William McKinley William McKinley

William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States [i].... 

 in 1896 United States presidential election, 1896

The U.S. presidential election of 1896 is often considered a realigning election [i]. ... 

 marked the a new era of Republican dominance and is sometimes cited as a realigning election. He relied heavily on finance, railroads, industry and the middle classes for his support and cemented the Republicans as the party of business. His campaign manager, Ohio's Marcus Hanna Mark Hanna

Mark A. Hanna, born Marcus Alonzo Hanna, was an industrialist [i] and Republican [i] ... 

, developed a detailed plan for getting contributions from the business world, and McKinley outspent his rival William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan

William Jennings Bryan was an American [i] lawyer, statesman, and politician. ... 

 by a large margin. McKinley was the first president to promote pluralism, arguing that prosperity would be shared by all ethnic and religious groups.


Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. , also known as T.R. and to the public as Teddy, was the 26th President of the United States [i] ... 

 was the most dynamic personality of the era. After promising to continue McKinley's policies, he won reelection in 1904 United States presidential election, 1904

The U.S. presidential election of 1904 was held on November 8 [i], 1904 [i]. ... 

. He then veered left, attacking big business and busting the trusts. Roosevelt anointed William Howard Taft William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft was an American politician [i]; the 27th President of the United States [i] ... 

 in 1908 United States presidential election, 1908

The U.S. presidential election of 1908 was held on November 3 [i], 1908 [i]. ... 

, but Taft worked more with the conservatives led by Senator Nelson W. Aldrich Nelson W. Aldrich

Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich was an American [i] politician [i]. ... 

, although it should be noted that more trusts were broken up under Taft than Roosevelt. The Payne-Aldrich tariff angered Midwestern insurgents. The widening division between progressive and conservative Conservatism

Conservatism is a political philosophy [i] that necessitates a defense of established values or the stat ... 

 forces in the party resulted in a third-party candidacy for Roosevelt on the Progressive, or "Bull Moose" ticket in the election of 1912 United States presidential election, 1912

The U.S. presidential election of 1912 was fought among three major candidates, two of whom had previous... 

. He finished ahead of Taft, but the split in the Republican vote resulted in a decisive victory for Democrat Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson

Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States [i] . ... 

, temporarily interrupting the Republican era.

The party controlled the presidency throughout the 1920s 1920s

The 1920s was a decade [i] sometimes referred to as the "Jazz Age [i]" or the "Roaring Twenties [i]," us ... 

, running on a platform of opposition to the League of Nations, high tariffs, and promotion of business interests. Warren G. Harding Warren G. Harding

Warren Gamaliel Harding was an American politician [i] and the 29th President of the United States [i] ... 

, Calvin Coolidge Calvin Coolidge

John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States [i] , succeeding to office upon t ... 

 and Herbert Hoover Herbert Hoover

[i] , was a successful [[mining engineer]... 

 were resoundingly elected in 1920 United States presidential election, 1920

The United States presidential election of 1920 was dominated by the aftermath of World War I [i]. ... 

, 1924 United States presidential election, 1924

The U.S. presidential election of 1924 was won by incumbent President [i] ... 

, and 1928 United States presidential election, 1928

The U.S. presidential election of 1928 pitted Republican [i]Herbert Hoover [i] ... 

 respectively. Although the party did very well in large cities and among ethnic Catholics in presidential elections of 1920-24, it was unable to hold those gains in 1928.

In October 1929, the stock market crashed, giving rise to the Great Depression Great Depression

The Great Depression was a worldwide economic downturn [i] which started in 1929 and lasting ... 

. Hoover, by nature an activist, attempted to do what he could to alleviate the widespread suffering caused by the Depression, but his strict adherence to what he believed were Republican principles precluded him from establishing relief directly from the federal government. The Democrats made major gains in the 1930 midterm elections, giving them congressional parity for the first time since Woodrow Wilson's presidency.

Fifth Party System: Opposing the New Deal Coalition, 1933–53

In 1932 Hoover was swamped in a landslide defeat to Franklin D. Roosevelt Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt served as the 32nd President of the United States [i] and was elected to four... 

 and his New Deal Coalition, which became a dominant fact of American political life for the middle third of the century. Democrats also gained large majorities in both houses of Congress.

After Roosevelt took office in 1933, New Deal legislation sailed through Congress at lightning speed. In the 1934 midterm elections, ten Republican senators went down to defeat, leaving them with only 25 against 71 Democrats. The House of Representatives was also split in a similar ratio. The "Second New Deal" was heavily criticized by the Republicans in Congress, who likened it to class warfare and socialism Socialism

Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic [i]... 

. The volume of legislation, as well as the inability of the Republicans to block it, soon made the opposition to Roosevelt develop into bitterness and sometimes hatred for "that man in the White House."

Little known Governor Alfred Landon Alf Landon

Alfred Mossman "Alf" Landon was an American [i] Republican [i] ... 

 of Kansas ran an ineffective moderate campaign as the Roosevelt landslide of 1936 swept 46 states. The GOP was left with only 16 senators and 88 representatives to oppose the New Deal.

Roosevelt alienated many conservative Democrats, in 1937, by his unexpected plan to "pack" the Supreme Court. Following a sharp recession that hit early in 1938, major strikes all over the country, and Roosevelt's failed efforts to purge the conservatives from the court, the GOP gaining 75 House seats in 1938. Conservative Democrats, mostly from the South, joined with Republicans led by Senator Robert A. Taft Robert Taft

Robert Alphonso Taft, of the Taft political family [i] of Ohio [i], was a Republican [i] ... 

 to create the conservative coalition, which dominated domestic issues in Congress until 1964.

In 1939–41 there was a sharp debate within the GOP about support for Britain in World War II World War II

World War II, or the Second World War, was a worldwide [i] conflict [i] fought betwe ... 

. Internationalists, such as Henry Stimson Henry L. Stimson

Henry Lewis Stimson was an American [i] statesman [i], who served as Secretary of War [i] ... 

 and Frank Knox Frank Knox

William Franklin "Frank" Knox was the Secretary of the Navy [i] under Franklin D. Roosevelt [i] during ... 

, wanted to support Britain and isolationists, such as Robert Taft Robert Taft

Robert Alphonso Taft, of the Taft political family [i] of Ohio [i], was a Republican [i] ... 

 and Arthur Vandenberg Arthur H. Vandenberg

Arthur Hendrick Vandenberg was a Republican [i] Senator [i] ... 

, strongly opposed these moves as unwise, if not unconstitutional. The America First America First Committee

The America First Committee was the foremost pressure group [i] against American [i] entry ... 

 movement was a bipartisan coalition of isolationists. In 1940 United States presidential election, 1940

The U.S. presidential election of 1940 was fought in the shadow of World War II [i], which had started t... 

, a total unknown Wendell Willkie Wendell Willkie

Wendell Lewis Willkie was a lawyer in the United States [i] and the Republican [i] ... 

 at the last minute won over the party and the delegates and was nominated. He crusaded against the inefficiencies of the New Deal and Roosevelt's break with the strong tradition against a third term. Pearl Harbor ended the isolationist-internationalist debate. The Republicans further cut the Democratic majority in the 1942 midterm elections. With wartime production creating prosperity, the Conservative coalition terminated most New Deal relief programs.

As a minority party, the GOP had two wings: The "left wing" supported most of the New Deal while promising to run it more efficiently. The "right wing" opposed the New Deal from the beginning and managed to repeal large parts during the 1940s in cooperation with conservative southern Democrats in the conservative coalition. Liberals, led by Dewey, dominated the Northeast. Conservatives, led by Taft, dominated the Midwest. The West was split, and the South was still solidly Democratic. Dewey did not reject the New Deal programs, but demanded more efficiency, more support for economic growth, and less corruption. He was more willing than Taft to support Britain in the early years of the war.

In 1944 United States presidential election, 1944

The U.S. presidential election of 1944 took place while the homefront [i] ... 

, a clearly frail Roosevelt defeated Dewey, who was now governor of New York, for his fourth term, but Dewey made a good showing that would lead to his selection as the candidate in 1948.

Roosevelt died in office in 1945, and Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman

Harry S. [i] Truman was the thirty-third President of the United States [i]; as ... 

 became president. With the end of the war, unrest among organized labor led to many strikes in 1946, and the resulting disruptions helped the GOP. With the blunders of the Truman administration in 1945 and 1946, the slogans "Had Enough?" and "To Err is Truman" became Republican rallying cries, and the GOP won control of Congress for the first time since 1928, with Joseph Martin as Speaker of the House. The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 was designed to balance the rights of management and labor. It was the central issue of many elections in industrial states in the 1940s and 1950s, but the unions were never able to repeal it.

In 1948, with Republicans split left and right, Truman boldly called Congress into a special session, and sent it a load of liberal legislation consistent with the Dewey platform, and dared them to act on it, knowing that the conservative Republicans would block action. Truman then attacked the Republican "Do-Nothing Congress" as a whipping boy for all of the nation's problems. Truman stunned Dewey and the Republicans with a plurality of just over two million popular votes , but a decisive 303-189 victory in the Electoral College.

Eisenhower and Nixon, 1953–1974



After the war the isolationists in the conservative wing opposed the United Nations United Nations

name = United Nations
Nations Unies
... 

, and were half-hearted in exercising opposition to the expansion of Communism around the world. Dwight Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was an American [i] soldier and politician.... 

, a NATO commander, defeated Taft in 1952 on foreign policy issues. The two men were not far apart on domestic issues. Eisenhower was an exception to most presidents in that he usually let Nixon handle party affairs . Richard Nixon Richard Nixon

Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States [i], serving from 1969 to 1974. ... 

 was defeated in 1960 in a close election, dooming his liberal wing of the party. The conservatives made a comeback in 1964 as Barry Goldwater Barry Goldwater

Barry Morris Goldwater was the American [i] politician most often credited for sparking t ... 

 defeated Nelson Rockefeller Nelson Rockefeller

Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was an American politician [i], philanthropist [i] and businessman [i] ... 

 in the primary. Goldwater was strongly opposed to the New Deal and the United Nations, but he rejected isolationism and containment, calling for an aggressive anti-Communist foreign policy. He was defeated by Lyndon Johnson Lyndon B. Johnson

Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States [i] ... 

 in a landslide that brought down many senior Republican Congressmen across the country. Goldwater blamed the magnitude of his defeat on the assassination of John F. Kennedy John F. Kennedy

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), also referred to as John F.... 

 a year before the election, and on Johnson running a campaign of smears.

The New Deal Coalition collapsed in the mid 1960s in the face of urban riots, the Vietnam war, and the disillusionment that the New Deal could be revived by Lyndon Johnson's Great Society. Nixon defeated both Hubert Humphrey Hubert Humphrey

Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Jr. was the 38th Vice President of the United States [i], serving under Presid ... 

 and George C. Wallace George Wallace