23 Interesting Republican Facts

By James Israelsen, Associate Writer

Published February 7, 2020

The Republican Party was nicknamed the “Grand Old Party” or “GOP” in the 1870s because of its role in keeping the Union together through the Civil War._[7]
The name of the Republican Party originated in 1792, when supporters of Thomas Jefferson created the Democratic-Republican Party. Although the D-R Party later evolved to become the Democratic Party, the original party favored a decentralized government, something supported by modern-day Republicans._[7]
The Republican Party was formed in the 1850s, when members of various political groups held a political convention dedicated to opposing the extension of slavery in the United States._[7]
American politics became a two-party system in the 1860s as a direct result of the rapid success of the Republican Party in dominating all other parties opposed to the Democrat Party._[7]
Theodore Roosevelt was a popular Republican president who chose not to run for a third term. However, when he decided he didn’t like Republican Taft’s policies, he formed the “Bull Moose Party,” dividing the Republican Party for a few years._[7]
Although the Republican Party originally opposed the right of a state to practice slavery, the modern Republican Party favors state’s rights over the power of the federal government._[7]
Members of the Republican Party tend to oppose government regulation of the economy and government-run social programs._[7]

Lincoln was instrumental in consolidating the Republican Party

The Republican Party is sometimes referred to as the Party of Lincoln because of the role played by the party in getting Lincoln nominated and in abolishing slavery._[7]
Although opposed to government regulation of business and the economy, Republicans tend to favor government regulation of individual's private lives in the cases of abortion and the gay rights movement—but not in cases of gun control._[7]
The Republican Party supports a strong national defense and is generally in favor of the aggressive pursuit of American interests in the international community._[7]
When the Republican Party was originally formed, they were the majority party in the Northern United States but had very few supporters in the Southern states; this is a trend that has been largely reversed in modern times._[7]
The Republican Party describes itself as “the party of freedom, the party of prosperity, and the party of vision.”_[4]
Although the Republican Party was formed specifically to oppose the practice and expansion of slavery, the modern Republican Party tends to cater to the aims of the white majority in America._[4]
The Republican Party was responsible for the push to grant women in America the right to vote._[9]

She was a true trailblazer

The first woman to be elected to Congress was Republican Jeannette Rankin._[9]
One major way in which the Republican Party differs from the Democratic Party is in their response to economic downturn and disasters: Republicans favor austerity in order to help the economy recover, whereas Democrats favor increases in federal spending._[8]
Despite the fact that in the 2016 presidential election there were more states dominated by registered Democrats rather than Republicans, the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, managed to win a majority of state electoral votes, thereby becoming the 45th president of the United States._[1]
The Republican Party was formed in 1854; it’s first member to be elected president of the Unites States was Abraham Lincoln._[6]
The elephant became the symbol of the Republican Party when the father of the political cartoon, Thomas Nast, featured an elephant in one of his cartoons._[6]
In 2019, 30% of US voters identified themselves as Republican, while 31% identified themselves as Democrat, and the largest percentage, 38%, identified as Independent._[5]
Since the creation of the Republican Party, there have been 18 Republican Presidents out of 45 total._[3]
Within the Republican Party there are several divides, particularly over issues of illegal immigration, Planned Parenthood, and raising taxes on the wealthy._[2]
In recent years, the Republican Party has been viewed less favorably than the Democratic Party, even by its own members._[2]