Civics Collection
The New Deal Political Realignment

The Formation of the Republican Party

The Republican Party was formed in 1854. It became known as the “Party of Lincoln,” which won the Civil War, freed enslaved people, oversaw Reconstruction, and secured ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. In addition, during the Civil War, Republicans passed the following:
  • Homestead Act (1862)—gave farmers free land in expanding western territories
  • Pacific Railway Act (1862)—funded a transcontinental railroad and facilitated westward expansion
  • Land Grant College Act (1862)—provided grants of land to states to finance the establishment of colleges specializing in “agriculture and the mechanic arts”
  • Graduated income tax (1862)—the first federal income tax to fund the war effort

The Republican Party dominated national politics for the next 70 years or so.
A politcal cartoon entitled "The Graveyard Orator" appearing on the cover of Puck magazine.

Republican Senator John Sherman “waves the bloody shirt” to remind voters that the Republican Party fought and won the Civil War, saved the Union, and ended slavery, thus deserving their continued support.

The poster shows a giant-sized white haired, bearded man in a suit who stands over graves. He is waving a paper with illegible writing on it in one hand and a bloody shirt in the other hand. Mostly unreadable writing appears on the grave markers. One grave marker has the word "slavery" on it.

Take Notes

Consider what you have learned about the Republican Party’s policies and actions. In the chart below, identify the groups that you think would have voted for the Republican Party and explain why. If you think that a group would have opposed the Republican Party or if you need more information to decide, leave the space for that group blank.

After you complete the chart, open the Answer Key to check your responses.
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Answer Key
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Black Americans: The Republican Party won the Civil War, ended slavery, and secured amendments that gave all Black Americans greater equality.

Farmers: The Homestead Act gave farmers free land.

Industrial Laborers: The Pacific Railway Act helped create jobs for workers. Also, most industrial jobs were in the North, the region most closely associated with the Republican Party.

Business Leaders: The Republican Party supported policies that developed and expanded the nation, providing new opportunities for business investment and development.

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