The Establishment and Evolution of the Republican Party and Its Influence on Politics and Sociopolitical Diversity in America
By AbraamDawod
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The Missouri Compromise of 1850 is signed by Congress.
During the age of the North American slave trade, America became divided by two; the South (pro-slavery) and the North (anti-slavery). A new party was formed in order to challenge the ideologies of the Democratic Party. The party was named "Republican" and it was committed to liberty and the pursuit of happiness among the American people. -
The Republican Party is born in Wisconsin.
Southern politicians met in a small schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin to establish the Republican Party as political opposition to Democratic President Andrew Jackson. Jackson was quickly showing himself incapable of dealing with slavery which was becoming a national crisis. -
First Republican National Convention
In light of the impending civil war, Republicans decided to unite and discuss the matter in America's first Republican National Convention. The Republican National Committee held the event at Musical Fund Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The American people began turning to the Republicans for patriotic sermons which helped them feel comfortable. -
Abraham Lincoln Becomes the First Republican President
Kentucky-born lawyer and former Congress representative Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th President of the United States and the first Republican President in history. He has been noted as one of the greatest U.S. Presidents of all time due to his honesty, charm and intelligence. His success as President had a major influence on the Republican Party and boosted their reputation, increasing their acceptance among the American taxpayers. -
President Lincoln Issues the Emancipation Proclamation
The Proclamation abolished slavery in ten states: South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia, Arkansas and Kentucky. It received a fair bit of criticism, especially by the South as they felt that the order violated their rights as Americans. -
Lincoln is Assassinated in Washington D.C.
While attending a show at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C., President Lincoln was shot in the head by Confederate sympathizer, John Wilkes Booth. His death had caused a stir of depression among the supporters of both parties. However, the national morning lessened the divide between the Democrats and the Republicans. -
Thomas Nast Creates the GOP Elephant
The GOP elephant was created by cartoonist Thomas Nast in an anti-Democrat newspaper in which the Democrat Party was portrayed as a donkey. The image quickly became the popular symbol of the Republican Party, portraying them as a strong and ferocious force. -
William McKinley is Elected President
McKinley was the first Republican to beat the Democratic candidate by a landslide after his massive victory over William Jennings Bryan to become the 25th President of the United States. His big win led many Americans to confide in the Republican Party and increased the approval rate of the Republican Party. -
Theodore Roosevelt is Elected President
Politician, author, soldier, statesman, naturalist and reformer, Theodore "Ted" Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States. He was met with wide approval among the American people, especially after the success of Republican William McKinley. Roosevelt was awarded with a Nobel Peace Prize for his heroic negotiations that ended the Russo-Japanese War. His popularity helped him continue his presidency for a second term. -
First Woman Elected to Congress
Jeannette Rankin, a notorious women's rights advocate, became the first Congresswoman in American history. She represented the Republican Party and was one of the most powerful women in the political world at the time. -
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Democrats Lead America Through World War II
Democratic Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman led America through difficult times of war. Harry S. Truman was responsible for much of America's success during the Second World War and was heavily praised for his political strategies. The success of the Democrat cast a shadow over the Republican Party, as it seemed that the Democrats were the more reliable party. This was short-lived as General Dwight Eisenhower took office during the Cold War. -
Dwight Eisenhower is Elected President
Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Western Europe during World War II, Dwight Eisenhower served as the 34th President of the United States. Representing the Republican Party, he managed to avoid a full-fledged war with the Soviet Union and quelled tensions with them during the Cold War. He is known as an expert war strategist and a political genius. -
The Watergate Scandal Wounds Republicans
An infamous event in American politics, the Watergate Scandal began when the headquarters of the Democratic National Convention was burglarized. Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States and a Republican, played a large role in the scandal which has crippled the reputation of the Republican Party to this day. Nixon was facing potential impeachment after he was exposed of using the FBI, CIA and IRS as political weapons in his favour. -
Richard Nixon Resigns from Office
Facing certain impeachment due to the Watergate scandal, Nixon resigned from office. The scandal and his resignation tarnished the Republican legacy and began a trend of cynicism and conspiracy toward the government that is still active to this day. -
Gerald Ford Becomes President
Gerald Ford assumed Presidency on the same day that Nixon resigned. He was the first unelected President in history, swearing in as the 38th President of the United States without having been previously voted into office. Ford is considered one of the nation's worst Presidents in history, mostly due to his controversial pardoning of Richard Nixon for the Watergate scandal. He also presided the worst U.S. economy since the Great Depression and had the third shortest presidency of any President. -
Ronald Reagan is Elected President
After the failure of Gerald Ford, the Republican Party was in desperate need of redemption. Their saving grace was found in Ronald Reagan, a Hollywood actor who was elected 40th President of the United States as a Republican. Reagan won his second term and has one of the highest approval rates of any U.S. Presidents at 67%. A memorable moment is Reagan's speech regarding the Berlin Wall in which he said the famous line, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!". -
George H. W. Bush is Elected President
Republican George H. W. Bush is elected 41st President of the United States. His approval rating was fairly low due to his poor economic policies. -
George W. Bush is Elected President
The son of H. W. Bush, George W. Bush won the 2000 election in the closest presidential race in U.S. history. -
The Iraq War Begins
After the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, George W. Bush made the controversial decision of invading Iraq in order to snuff out potential weapons of mass destruction. When it was revealed that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction, it began a massive thread of conspiracy theories regarding Bush's involvement in the 9/11 attacks. Such theories include that he instigated the attacks and that he invaded Iraq in order to exploit their fossil fuels. -
Republicans are Overshadowed by Barack Obama
Senator Barack Obama scored major points for the Democratic Party as he became the first African American President in American history and served both terms, beating Republicans John McCain and Mitt Romney. The 44th President of the United States received relatively high approval ratings, especially among the younger generation, and was noted as one of the most charming and charismatic Presidents in history. -
Donald Trump is Elected President
Real estate developer and reality TV star, Donald J. Trump, was elected 45th President of the United States in one of the most shocking victories in U.S. history. The billionaire decided to run for the Republicans in June 2015 and has since divided the two major parties more than ever before. His appeal was mainly due to his success in business and his outspokenness, though the latter is one of his most criticized personality traits. -
Donald Trump Cripples the Republican Reputation
Though some rejoiced at his victory, many were left in tears as it was announced that Donald Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton, who would have been the first female President in history. After only a year, Donald Trump has already received the lowest approval ratings of any President in history, and has been criticized immensely by well-known actors, artists, politicians, world leaders and more. His presidency has been the cause of violence and a great divide among the American people.
