U.S. Republican Party on Social Issues: The Republican Record on Slavery, Voting Rights and Civil Rights

The United States Republican Party, which celebrated its 154th birthday in 2008, has always been a party dedicated to equality and opportunity. The party, which has been led by great leaders such as Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan, has always supported equal treatment and been concerned with social issues. According to the Republican Party official web site, the term “Republican” was selected because “it alluded to equality and reminded individuals of Thomas Jefferson's Democratic-Republican Party.”

Slavery

The Republican Party was originated on July 6, 1854, by activists who were opposed to slavery and by those who felt that the U.S. government should grant land in the west to settlers free of charge.

The first Republican candidate for the office of President was John C. Fremont. The party’s slogan for the 1856 election was “Free soil, free labor, free speech, free men, Fremont.” Although the Democrats and Whigs were the two dominant parties, Fremont still received 33% of the vote.

Four years later, Abraham Lincoln was elected as President and was immediately confronted with the outbreak of civil war. Supported by Congressional Republicans, he signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed slaves in areas not under Union Control in January, 1863. In an effort to make Lincoln’s Executive Order permanent, the Republican Party worked to secure passage of the Thirteenth Amendment in December, 1865, which abolished slavery in the United States.

The first blacks elected to Congress, in 1869, were members of the Republican Party and it would not be until 1935 that the first black Democrat entered Congress.

Voting Rights

Republicans worked to get the Fourteenth Amendment passed in July, 1868 which overruled the Dred Scot vs. Sanford Supreme Court decision by guaranteeing equal protection under the law. In February, 1869, the Republican Party proposed the Fifteenth Amendment, which guaranteed the right to vote regardless of race, creed or previous condition of servitude. The Amendment was ratified one year later.

The right of women to vote was also championed by Republicans when, in 1896, they were the first major party to favor women’s suffrage. An amendment was not proposed until 1919 and was enacted in August of 1920. Of the 36 state legislatures that voted to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment, 26 were controlled by Republicans. The first woman elected to Congress in November, 1916, was Republican Jeanette Rankin of Montana.

Civil Rights

According to an article written by Diane Alden, the congressional record shows that “In the 26 major civil rights votes after 1933, a majority of Democrats opposed civil rights legislation in over 80 percent of the votes. By contrast, the Republican majority favored civil rights in over 96 percent of the votes. “

In the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Republicans helped to end a 57 day Democrat filibuster, which was an attempt to halt passage of the bill. Once the bill got to the floor, 82% of Senate Republicans voted for passage while 80% of House Republicans voted for it.

Other Issues

In more recent times, the Republican Party has continued to support equality, opportunity and moral values. According to the GOP web site Republicans promote:

Republicans are sometimes accused of being out of touch on some issues such as abortion and gay marriage; however, Republicans believe that the “inalienable” right to life begins in the form of an unborn child and that it is intrinsically wrong to take such innocent life. Additionally, since God instituted marriage between men and women, it is believed that mankind is not authorized to redefine that institution.

The copyright of the article U.S. Republican Party on Social Issues in US Parties is owned by Ronald G Falconberry. Permission to republish U.S. Republican Party on Social Issues in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Nov 11, 2008 7:39 PM

Guest :

I think a great continuation on this article would cover the transition from the Republican Party of the past to the Republican Party of the present. Denying that the Republican Party has made a polar shift socially since it was founded would be like a Britney Spears fanatic denying that their favorite superstar went a little overboard when she shaved her head. One question that I would pose to churn the gears would be, "Which Party would Lincoln belong to if he were alive today?" Of course, this question has no definate answer, but it is worthy of some thought. This author seems to be projecting the humanitarian success of past into the present "greatness" of the GOP. I am more of a, "What have you done for me recently?" kind of person. Instead of focusing on past success, the GOP leaders need to be focusing, not on voter turnouts, not on demographics, not on polls, not on a continuous attack based on thin evidence and built by speculations of "that other" Party, but on how they can enhance the prospect of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... for everyone...

Nov 11, 2008 8:17 PM

Ronald G Falconberry :

The basic humanitarian nature of the Republican Party still exists. The outgoing President and the latest nominee have definitely been centrist considering that they obviously feel comfortable in having the government take care of people's problems but their basic stance on equality and values is still there which is iterated in the last section of the article.
They desire to protect the sanctity of life (hence the prospect of life), freedom of the press/speech and religious liberties, among other (liberty) and reduce the interference and intrusion of government in people's lives (pursuit of happiness).

Apr 7, 2009 2:44 PM

Christina Gregoire :

Mr.Falconberry,
As a Libertarian, I applaud your bravery for pointing out the truth. I believe that more people should turn off their TVs and actually read books. Then, the general populace would understand that what you say is true.
Most people can not think for themselves.
Tina
ps I think that the Republicans also gave us Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman on the highest court. That is fairly recent. Also, we should not overlook Colin Powell or Condileeza Rice. I have been a Dem and a Rep and now I'm a pro-life Libertarian. I'm guided by common sense and nothing more.