The Republican Party, also known as the Grand Old Party (GOP), is one of the two major political parties in the United States. Founded in 1854, it emerged from a coalition of anti-slavery activists who opposed the expansion of slavery into western territories. The party's early members consisted of Northern Protestants, factory workers, professionals, businessmen, prosperous farmers, and, after the Civil War, Black former slaves. Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president, was elected in 1860, leading the Union to victory in the Civil War and abolishing slavery.
Historically, the GOP advocated for policies like the gold standard, national banking, railroads, and high tariffs. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the party became associated with laissez-faire capitalism, lower taxes, and conservative social policies. As of 2026, the Republican Party holds the presidency with Donald Trump, and majorities in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. The party's official logo, the elephant, dates back to the 1870s.
