The Republican Party - Research Paper Example

The Republican Party This assignment will compare and contrast the Republican Party of 1864 to the modern day Republican Party of the United States. The paper will concentrate on how the Republican Party has changed and how the past and the modern Republican Parties are similar. Introduction The Republican Party is one of the oldest existing parties in the history of the United States. The party developed in 1854 with the aim of combating Nebraska Act, which threatened the extension of slavery in various areas, and also sought to promote tremendous modernization of the economy. The party dominated in almost every Northern state (Root & Hay 23). In the elections of 1860, the Republican Party emerged victorious and dominated the course of politics until 1932, when the leader of the party was not capable of reversing the Great Depression. Republicans won the elections back from the Democrats in the 1960’s. From 1968-2004, the Republican Party emerged victorious in seven out of ten presidential elections. The Republicans supported the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which provided that; all individuals in U.S. should be treated as citizens without creating discrimination on the basis of color, race or any condition existing before. The Old Republican Party Since its formation, in 1854, the Republican Party has supported and opposed various issues affecting the citizens and the economy of the United States. Traditionally, the party emerged to support issues such as laissez-faire capitalism, conservative social policies, and low tax policies. It was under the old Republican Party that the Civil Right Act of 1866 was passed. During the formation of the Republican Party in 1854, the chief agenda was to abolish the extension of slavery, which had increased during the time. The Republicans were against the Nebraska Act, which promoted slavery. In 1864, the Republicans supported the 13th Amendment while the Democrats were against the Amendment (Johnson & Smith 78). The Republicans won; this led to the freeing of slaves. The old Republican Party supported the rights of individuals. This is seen with the support of the 13th, 14th, and the 15th Amendments, which supported the rights of all the people of America, and more so, the African-Americans. The old Republicans supported the establishment and development of education institutions; this is depicted by the support of the Land-Grant College Act, which led to the foundation of education centers throughout the country (Schwengel 90). This can also be seen with the establishment of Howard University, in 1867, by the Republicans. In addition, the old Republicans cared about security of the citizens and established Buffalo soldiers. In addition, the Republicans opposed the legalization of the Ku Klux Klan, which was an outlawed group. The Modern Republican Party The Modern Republican Party, just like the old Republican Party, has faced several issues, some of which it has opposed and supported. The signing of the New Deal faced the Republicans’ opposition. The Republicans likened the New Deal to promotion of socialism by the Democrats (Johnson & Smith 76). Later, the Republican Party split into two portions; with one division opposing the New Deal from its start to the end, and the other division partly supporting the New and promising to operate it efficiently. Although the modern Republicans split into two classes, which brought in a class of moderate Republicans, the Republican Party has continued to offer support for the establishment and development of tertiary education centers. They also advocate for improvement of infrastructure and promote human security. During the Civil Rights Act of 1964, segregation was outlawed through a court order and Democrats took the opportunity to bring in a less educated electorate, which supported segregation (Westwood 38). This favored the Democratic Party at the expense of the Republican Party. The moderate Republicans supported the move while the liberal did not. The modern Republicans have supported economic growth through fighting for the signing of laws governing tax cuts. Similarities between the Traditional and Modern Republican Parties The old and the modern Republican Parties seem to have various similarities in dealing with government issues. First, both the old and the modern Republican parties seem to care about the Rights of the American citizens and elimination of segregation (Myers 19). This is seen, where the traditional Republicans opposed the signing of Nebraska Act, which promoted slavery. In 1866, the traditional Republicans also supported the passing of Civil Rights Act, which assisted in ending slavery. The traditional Republicans supported the end of racial segregation, which is seen in the military and other institutions. The support of the civil rights is seen in the modern Republican Party, when the Republicans helped in ending segregation in the Little Rock. The second similarity, which exists between the traditional and the modern Republican Party, entails support for the establishment of tertiary education centers. The traditional Republicans supported the establishment of tertiary education centers through distribution of federal land to the states. Modern Republicans have still emphasized on the establishment of strong tertiary centers in all the states. The concern for security is the third similarity between the old and the modern Republican Party. The old Republicans made sure there was security, through supporting signing of bills, which ensured the security of the citizens. For example, the Republicans supported the creation of the Buffalo soldiers and opposed Ku Klux Klan (Curtis 65). Finally, both Republican Parties are seen to be involved in issues of economic growth, mainly through tax cuts (Myers 21). Differences Despite the similarities, between the traditional and the modern Republican Parties, there exist some differences between the two. One of the differences is that; the old Republican Party consisted of mainly individuals with stern standings, who were either for or against an idea. They either supported a bill wholeheartedly or opposed the bill in unison. A perfect example is the opposition of the Nebraska Act. On the other hand, the modern Republican Party individuals seem to be divided over issues (Rossiter 54). The modern Republicans oppose, support or are moderate on an issue. The traditional Republicans seemed united in supporting other members of the party, but the modern Republicans seemed to be divided in supporting of fellow Republicans, for example, with the failures of George Bush, the modern Republicans abandoned the values of the party by rejecting ideals of George Bush, who was their leader (Westwood 40). The traditional Republicans gave citizens a positive attitude towards achievement of goals that the Republicans set, but the modern Republicans give the citizens a negative feeling about the achievement of goals. For example, there were exceedingly many scandals involving the Republicans during Gorge Bush’s era, which gave a negative impression of the Republican Party. The traditional Republicans supported weighty decisions like civil rights and education, and the decisions that they supported were appreciated by the citizens (Schwengel 46). However, the modern Republicans involve themselves in making decisions that are questionable by the citizens. For example, during the G. Bush ruling, he signed Omnibus Spending Bill, which faced opposition from many education establishments through the citizens. The main aim of forming the Republican Party, in 1854, was to combat Nebraska Act, which was threatening the extension of slavery in various areas, and also sought to promote tremendous modernization of the economy. Hence, the founders’ mission was to promote economic growth and fight for the rights of American citizens (Summer 67). Both the traditional and the modern Republicans seem to go as per the mission of the founders. This is well indicated in various issues, which the Republicans supported or opposed, for example, the opposing of Nebraska Act, support of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, Freeing of slaves in 1864, support of the 13th, 14th, 15th and 19th Amendments, and tax cuts. Role of Republicans in the Civil Rights act of 1964 In the Civil Right of 1964, the Republicans were divided over the issue since the civil rights stipulated by the Act had partial segregation (Anderson 34). The Republicans that did not support the Act argued that, although the Act gave voting rights to the African-Americans, segregation was still there due to the existence of Jim Crow laws. As such, most republicans opposed the act because they did not believe in the freedom of African Americans. The republicans stimulated economic growth through the establishment of Universities, tax cuts and promotion of capitalism. Conclusion The Republican Party is among the oldest parties in the history of America. The party was founded in 1854 with an aim of stopping the signing of the Nebraska Act, which could extend slavery in the country. The Republican Party won in the opposing of the Nebraska Act, and many citizens who were initially slaves supported the party. The party has kept its mission, in fighting for the rights of American citizens and promoting economic growth. Protection and fighting for the citizens’ rights is seen in the signing of the 1866 Civil Rights Act, 13th, 14th, 15th, and the 19th Amendments. Other supports of the civil rights include; the signing of the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924 and the passing of the 1957 Civil Rights act (Verney 80). The tax cut policy, brought by the Republicans has stimulated economic growth in the country. Works Cited Anderson, Dale. The Republican Party: The Story of the Grand Old Party. New York: Compass Publishers, 2007. Print. Curtis, Francis. The Republican Party: a history of its fifty years’ existence and a record of its measures and leaders. New York: AMS Press, 1978. Print. Johnson, Daniel & Smith, Ray. The Republican Party: what it has stood for and what it stands for today. New York: Syracuse Press, 1920. Print. Myers, William. The Republican Party: a history. Chicago: Johnson Reprint Corp., 1928. Print. Root, Patrick & Hay, John. The Republican Party: “A party fit to govern”. Bangalore: Priv. Print Publishers, 1904. Print. Rossiter, Clinton. Parties and Politics in America. New York: Connel University Press, 1964. Print. Summer, Charles. The Republican Party: its origin, necessity and permanence. New York: Wiley & Sons, 2004. Print. Schwengel, Fred. The Republican Party: its heritage and history. New York: Acropolis, 1988. Print. Verney, Kerven. Black Civil Rights in America. New York: Routledge, 2000. Print. Westwood, George. The Debate on Black Civil Rights in America. New York: Routledge, 2006. Print. Read More