The History of the GOP

The Birthplace of the Republican Party

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.

Nixon for President

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.

Rally supporting the end of Abortion. Using faith.

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.

John Boehner, Speaker of the House

"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.

G.O.P logo with the elephant

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.

Cinderella Man & The Great Depression

The Great Depression was a period of great struggle for many people throughout the entire United States. Many men had trouble simply being able to put bread on the table for their large families. The 1930’s was especially a tough time for the man of the household because any kind of work was very hard to find. Cinderella Man, a movie that details the life of James J. Braddock, a rich man turned poor turned pro boxer, seems to accurately portray the events and struggles of the Great Depression.

The movie begins with the Braddock family living a comfortable life; a beautiful, spacious house and a picture perfect family. After reading chapter 25, which details the events of the Great Depression, many events in this film seem to be very true. To begin with, the family, after the Stock Market crash has lost everything and immediately has to down size to something they now can afford. They move to a below ground level apartment, where they can barely keep the electricity and gas on. In many cases this is how life began to shape families. Since James was out of work he begins to go down to the docks, along with many other husbands and fathers who were also looking for work, to be randomly picked for a job that barely paid anything. Many men in large cities such as New York, Chicago or Boston would also be faced with the same battle for a job; since there were so many people living in such a small radius of each other. Another historical accuracy was the millions of people going to the relief centers to accept aid. I feel that the most accurate portrayal was when he went to the relief center so reluctantly, because he was too self-proud. Nearly every man had that same feeling of not wanting to rely on someone else to provide for their families. Back then, and still in today’s times men think that they are the bread winners and women are supposed to be domesticated and stay in the house. The final accuracy was the use of radio to bring people together. In every scene of the film where Mr. Braddock is fighting, all kinds of people—men at bars, families at church and his kids in a basement—were listening to a single radio waiting to hear the outcome. Radio brought many people together in ways that we today think of as not technologically advanced and old.

Cinderella Man was a very much historically accurate film depicting the Great Depression. It details the use of many events and items specific to this time period. Radio, relief centers and going to the docks to look for jobs were all accurately portrayed. The Stock Market Crash had a large impact on this period, but in the end allowed our country to evolve into what we are today.

Espionage Acts 1917 & Clear and Present Danger Test

The Great War; 4 questions

1. When and why did WWI break out?

The one single event the led to World War I starting was the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. The assassination occurred on June 28, 1914.

The Triple Entente included; England, France and Russia.
The Triple Alliance included; Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.

2. When and why did the United States get involved in WWI?

The United States joined the war on April 6, 1917 on the side of England, France and Russia. The US got involved because of unrestricted sub warfare.

3. What were the casualty rates for the various countries involved?

4. When and why did the war end?

The war ended on November 11, 1918 because of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

GWF Postcard Project

Collection of The Great White Fleet Postcards

Dear Dad,                    

Today is July 14, 1907. I just heard that President Roosevelt wants to build around sixteen new battleships for the United States. The construction of a few has already began. I hope to enlist and be the superior power of the oceans. I have heard rumors that it will be to sail around the world. Hopefully this will be a turning point for the country, the citizens' and the sailors of the United States of America.

Sincerely, Reed

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Dear Mom, 

Today, December 16, 1907, was a very warm day in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Today is the day that we embark on our glorious journey. I will never forget President Roosevelt  standing on his boat watching all of the 16 ships pass him. The feeling in the air and amongst all of us was prideful, with some nervous souls among us. Look on the reverse side of this card, this is one of the ships that is sailing with us. The white makes us instantly known everywhere. Until next time....

Sincerely, Reed

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Dear Dad,

Today's date is December 23, 1907. We just arrived in Trinidad, which I heard an officer talking about is near the coast of Venezuela. When we arrived at the Port of Spain, there was nothing there at all. The whole island seems to be deserted, only one shop was open, and it was serving us beer. You would not believe how hot and humid it is here! It is rumored that we are going to be leaving sometime within the next upcoming days. Will write more to you later.

                                                           

                                                                                                        Sincerely, Reed

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Dear Mom, 

I am writing to you on May 7, 1908. Yesterday we arrived back in the States, in San Francisco, for a few days. When we arrived we were immediately greeted by thousands of people who cheering and shouting all for us. Right when we got off the boat we were told that there was going to be a two day part for us at the Fairmont Hotel. I went to it last night, but came back to the hotel because I did not want to spend all of my money. I heard of some sailors having to be kicked out of their hotel because they can't pay their bill. They will have to sleep in tents in Jefferson Square. I have to go. See you soon.

Sincerely, Reed

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Dear Dad,

I am writing to you on July 18, 1908. We arrived in Hawaii around two days ago, and have had celebration after celebration. I am not accustomed to the Hawaiian's way of life; while they are annexed to the US, they are very odd. However, they are very welcoming and nice people. We docked in Pearl Harbor and were honored with a traditional Hawaiian feast. We have also had boat races up and down the coast. We have a few more days here, and then it is off again. I am not sure where to, but hopefully warm weather.

Sincerely, Reed

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Dear Patton, 

Today's date is August 22, 1908. You would not believe how welcoming and gracious the Australians are. We left for Sydney on the 15th of August and arrived on the 20th. Much like when we arrived in San Francisco, a non stop party has been going on. The Australians are very fond of us, around 250,000 of them waited for us to arrive to greet us. I have never felt more welcomed! However, the effects of the cruise and celebrations have really began to get to a lot of us. The conditions on these boats are not great, either. I am glad to be in a hotel for a few days. I miss you and the family lots.

Sincerely, Reed

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Dear Mom,

Today is October 20, 1908. We arrived in Japan a couple days ago. I feel that I say this a lot in the cards that I have sent to you, but the Japanese have been the most happy, welcoming people to us. Our journey here was crazy, when we were in the South China Sea, we encountered a massive typhoon that took a sailor overboard, but get this, the wave pushed him onto another boat! I was allowed to get off the ship, because I was first class, and I never have shown a sign that I drink. Those who have had to stay on the boat. The parties and celebration and receptions were a huge hit, around 50,000 Japanese gave us a parade, where they carried torches in their hands. Isn't that awesome? Will write more in the next card. Thanks for your support.

Sincerely, Reed

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Dear Dad,

Today's date is February 22, 1909. Earlier today we arrived back in Hampton Roads. Unlike when we left, today was a dreary, rainy day that seemed like we would not get much celebrating done. However, tit turned out to be completely opposite, because hundreds of people showed up to welcome and cheer us on for completing our journey safely. When we got into port a band started playing, "There's No Place Like Home" and the sensation inside of my body was so great, I've never felt it before. I am glad that I chose to fight for my country, I have come out of this 14 month journey a stronger and much more well rounded sailor, but most importantly, a patriotic citizen. I will be on my way home in a few days.

Sincerely, Reed

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Sources:

The Great White Fleet - .info
I used this website for very general information in the beginning of the research project. It was great for me, because visually I was able to look at the map and see where all the Great White Fleet had travelled.

Navy History
This website was great for background information, and very specific facts about people involved in the fleet, and issues with it.

Library of Congress
This was one of my favorite sources because it showed all the dates and major facts about what happened. I began organizing the cards into dates based off of this website.

Postcard Archive
Through this website I learned that for the duration of the Great White Fleet's voyage, postcards were; Divided Back. This meant that on one side of the line there was the message and the other side had the address. I never knew that there were era's and period's of different postcards.

Navy Department Library
This website was my favorite, because it detailed every specific occurrence and date. I got most of my information from this page because it was so useful and easily accessible.

Newspaper Article - The Daily Press
I used this newspaper article to include in one of my postcards that the conditions on the boats were very basic and pre-1900's. This was a good source because it was talking about the 100th anniversary of the fleet.

Spanish American War Political Cartoons

In this cartoon, the first thing that I can see is the small island of the Philippines, with a huge red and white striped pant covering over a large black military-like boot. In the background there is open water, grass and a few large trees. A sign says, "NOTICE The U.S. is requested to withdraw P.D.Q. (signed) Aguinaldo" Underneath the boot is Aguinaldo with a shovel, being squashed by the large boot. Regardless of Aguinaldo or any of the Filipino's, the United States was there to stay, which can be told by the boot. The boot also tells us that the US was very powerful and didn't care what the rather small Filipino's were interested in, or even what they wanted. Also, the sign uses an abbreviation, "P.D.Q." or pretty damn quick. Not only were they tired of the United States, they were ready for them to leave quickly. I think the cartoonist wants American's to see that regardless of what the Filipino's say, that we are bigger and more powerful, and what we say is the only way.

This cartoon invokes more humor and seriousness. Uncle Sam is seen bending a Filipino over his knee and holding a few swatches in his hands, about to spark him, for not following the orders of the superior U.S. In uncle Sam's hat is a Spanish receipt for $20 million.  His coat is also off, which can lead the American's to believe that the Americans are in the Philippines to stay awhile. The faces of both characters are widely different-Uncle Sam has a serious, but tired look on his face, while the Filipino is scared out of his mind and ready to run away. The audience for this cartoon would be a very large amount of American's, due to the Patrioticness of Sam, and the power associated with it.