Description
The Republican Party, also known as the Grand Old Party (GOP), has evolved substantially since the party's formation in 1854. Its ideological structure has been adjusted several times over the course of history which can be broken down into four eras: the Liberal Era, the Transition Era, the Conservative Era, and the Modern Era. This research will include a brief historical overview of each era, a discussion on how the ideological fabric of the GOP changed from one era to the next, a special focus on four key Republican presidents (Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and Donald Trump), and an examination of the three key American values that define the party: adherence to morality, individualism, and nationalism. These values have remained consistent in the party over the course of its existence and continue to connect the Republican Party of yesterday to the Republican Party of today.