Old Republicans, New Republicans

Early Republicans
The U.S. Republican Party was founded in 1854 by anti - slavery activists and individuals who believed that the government should grant western lands to settlers free of charge. It first came to power in 1860 with the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency.


The new party's vision was to modernize the United States. By developing a higher education, railroads, banking and industry, they would achieved this vision.
According to this source of information, the primary objectives of the new party were:
"emphasized state's right, "strict" interpretation of the Constitution, preference for agriculture and rural life, strength in South and West, foreign policy sympathized with France, stressed civil liberties and trust in the people"

During the Civil War (1861-1865), Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves. The republicans from that time achieved on getting the Thirteenth, the Fourteenth and the Fifteenth amendments.

Present Republicans
In 1980, Ronald Reagan won the election for the Republican Party. Conservative Christians and southern whites formed a "New Right" that supported Ronald Reagan on a "law and order" platform.

The New Right favored strict limits on government intervention in the economy and it was willing to use state power to encourage its view of family values, restrict homosexual behavior and censor pornography. It also favored tough measures against crime, strong national defense, a constitutional amendment to permit prayer in public schools, opposition to abortion and defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment for women.


In my opinion, founders from this party would feel pleased and proud of the current state of this political party. It has changed through out the years, but the circumstances in the 1850s are not the same as the present day. Now, there are newer problems and conflicts that the party has to focus on.

Evidence:
http://www.gop.com/About/AboutRead.aspx?Guid=a747a888-0ae6-4441-94f4-2a3a6561f872

http://countrystudies.us/united-states/history-136.htm

http://www.mury.k12.ut.us/MHS/apus/handouts/politicalparties.htm