What is a Republican?
Republicans are members of a political party that began in the United States in the mid-19th century. They are one of the two major political parties in the United States, alongside the Democratic Party. The Republican Party has been the dominant party in US national politics since the early 1900s and is committed to conservative policies and values.
History of the Republican Party
The Republican Party was founded in 1854, in response to the expansion of slavery into the new Western states. The Republican Party opposed slavery and sought to protect the rights of newly-freed African Americans. The most prominent Republican of the 19th century was Abraham Lincoln, who was elected as the first Republican president in 1860.
What Do Republicans Believe?
The Republican Party is committed to the following core principles:
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- Limited government and maximum personal liberty
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- Fiscal responsibility
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- Free markets
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- Strong national defense
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- Protection of traditional family values
In recent decades, the Republican Party has adopted increasingly conservative positions on many social and economic issues.
Who Are the Leaders of the Republican Party?
The current leader of the Republican Party is Donald Trump, who was elected President of the United States in 2016. Other prominent Republicans include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
