The Birth of the Republican Party

The kansas Nebraska act was designed by Stephen douglas

• The act was passed by congress in 1854
• It essentially repealed the compromise of 1820

Discontent emerged in the whig and democratic parties because of the act

• The Whigs splintered in 1854 since a presidential candidate wasn't elected
• They joined together with anti-slaver Democrats over a common platform

the Republicans were founded on an anti-slavery platform

• This means that slavery couldn't spread from its established points
• They also pushed for a trans-continental railroad and expansion west 

the first beginnings of the party:

• Jacob Meritt Howard is credited as the founder of the republican party
• The first official meeting was in Philidelphia from June 17-19,1856 

the First election

• The Republicans definitely decided to form under the 1856 election.
• They pushed John C. Fremont for presidential election
• John C. Fremont was the first candidate, but he was unsuccessful 

Taking Control of congress

• By the 1860's Republicans held majority in congress
• Their monopoly caused  uneasiness with southern congressmen

Abraham Lincoln: elected 1860

• He was the 1st Republican president,& southerners didn't take it well
• South Carolina seceded  because of this, launching  a civil war 

Works cited

• Republican domination of post civil war politics. (n.d.). Retrieved 3 13, 2014, from saylor.org website: http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ HIST312-Republican-Dominance-of-Politics-FINAL.pdf
• McNamara, R. (n.d.). The Founding of the Republican Party. About.com 19th Century History. Retrieved March 13, 2014, from http://history1800s.about.com/od/presidentialcampaigns/a/Founding-Of-Republ...