The Republican Party, or GOP, was founded on July 6, 1854 at the party's first convention. That date also began the party's first platform, which would be updated every four years to fit the presidential races. However, contrasting the early Republican party to today, there are many differences, specifically opposites. Also known as the party of Lincoln, it was created for people who believed in terminating slavery and for voting rights for women. But, many principles are still alive today as well. Topics such as reducing the government size and power to the states are huge ideas of the Republican platform today. They share the basis of individual rights; putting the power into the peoples hands rather than the federal government telling the citizens what to do.
In the Nixon era, the Republican party's platform was superior to that of the Democrats. Not because what the Democrats wanted was wrong, but because of the many disorderly events that brought out Nixon as the new President of the "silent majority." The president at the time, Lyndon Johnson, was a proponent of the Vietnam War; which most Americans were not. Richard Nixon was a candidate for those who did not like the direction in which the country was going in. He caught the eyes and targeted most of the working and middle classes, and promised to, "bring us [USA] back together again." The biggest factor that contributed to his winning of the election could be the fact that he was so heavy on foreign policy. He knew that he could win with it. However, Nixon knew that he also needed to get the vote from white Southerners, something that George Wallace, then Alabama governor, running under a third party would have an advantage. Nixon's plan was called "Southern Strategy" and was aimed at trying to get all the whites down South to vote for him; by siding with them on segregation and racial issues like affirmative action.
The Republican platform has since changed from Nixon's days. However, many changes didn't start
occurring until he was out of office. These times were filled with the country changing. Many people were beginning to accept blacks, while in the South many still didn't want to accept. In a Washington Post article, it talks about how "abortion" and keeping taxes lower were not a bold party ideal until the 80's and 90's. The article talks about how Republicans have morphed and are now concerned with abortion, are "motivated by faith" and does not like big government. All things true, of course. But, why have they changed completely in a mere 50 years? What is that major thing that is pushing for the change? Not specifically stated anywhere, I think that it is somewhat interpretable. Republicans have wanted to shape their image to be all about personal freedoms and what God has allowed us to do. In more recent years, gay marriage has been a substantial news bit. While very few Republicans agree with the union of same sex, most disagree on it. And it all goes back to the faith values that was stated earlier. Republicans have shifted from their once liberal agendas to a more conservative, Southern view. Another huge debate is about guns. Obama is trying to pass legislation that will limit what guns can be bought and to increase the background checks when buying a gun. Many people, mostly Southerners and mostly Republicans say that violates the second amendment, and that is just Obama trying to control us in another way. The parties have switched from a more bi-partisan feeling to completely divided. And it is that way because of issues just like these.
"Anybody read the party platform? I never met anybody."
John Boehner said. He was talking about the numerous pages that each one of them has. He thinks it needs to be one page. I agree. The platform for 2012 was very similar to the ones in the past few 4 year cycles. Without having to read the entire platform, one can accurately guess what the Republicans are concerned with. Today, they include abortion, gun rights, same sex marriage, military and economic spending and social ideals. Much different issues than in the 60's. But, that is for good reason. As society started to evolve into free thinkers and a few oddballs every so often, they shaped how most Americans think. In addition, Republican's believe; no government run health care, parent's have the right to choose whatever school they want for their child to succeed and that the court system is to be governed by the Constitution, not a bias.
To end, the Republicans have changed over the past 50 years because the challenges that we are faced with as mankind, we have to solve in order to retain our presence on earth. Sometimes the GOP doesn't always win with numbers or elections, but they are strong in their beliefs of self-independence and the freedom that each person should have to not be controlled by a big government. Since the Nixon era, and ending a few years back, the "Southern Strategy" was a way to win over votes from the whites in the South. Today, Republican's have a strong following and are starting to shift from their 'white people party' to a party that is for faith, freedom and less government.
Sources:
National Federation of Republican Women - I used this site for the history and background of the early times in the GOP party. It was helpful so that I could let readers know about the early GOP. I used this source in the first paragraph.
PBS - Election of 1968 - This PBS site was used to give me background on Nixon and his election. I got the "silent majority" quote from this site, as well. I used this source in the second paragraph.
History.com - Nixon Elected - The History.com article on Nixon's election was also a good piece of information so that readers could know why he won. It gave my reasoning for Nixon more evidence. I used this in the second paragraph.
Washington Post - Southern Strategy - I also used this source for Nixon's paragraph. It was necessary to let readers know that it substantially helped him in the polls, even though no one was over 50% winning. This was also in the second paragraph.
Washington Post - Evolution of GOP - this was used in the third paragraph to show how the GOP has changed since the 60's. I liked this site because it gave me a great graphic to look at, as well as lots of information to use. This was in the the third paragraph.
CNS News - John Boehner - I used this for the fourth paragraph. It helped me show that the platform was too long and most people don't read it. It was used strictly for the quote.
GOP.com - Receiving the news right from the horse's mouth.This let me look up the top principles to finish my essay and elaborate briefly on the GOP in modern form. It was used in the fourth paragraph.
