Republican Flag

Illustration of an American flag with gold text above it on a white background

The Republican Party, also known as Grand Old Party (GOP), is one of two major political parties in the United States. The party was founded in 1854 supporting classical liberalism, opposing the expansion of slavery and supporting economic reform. However, the Republican ideology shifted in 1912 moving ideals to the right following the introduction of more political parties and ideals. After the Great Depression, Republican ideals shifted again further to the right, booting members of the party who the majority thought too socialist. Following the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Act of 1965, the parties core base shifted again becoming primarily Southern States composed of rural, men, and white Evangelical Christians, where the majority of its member demographics remain the same well into the 21st century.