In 1854 the Republican Party emerged as the progressive anti-slavery advocate for the Union..

After the civil war the Republican Party consisted of the progressive northern populace, factory workers, farmers, businessmen and the now freed black slaves. They had very little support from the southern white Democrats who saw this new black voting block as a threat. Around 1912 the GOP began an ideological shift towards conservatism when the then Republican Teddy Roosevelt left to form a more progressive party (he took many republicans with him). The GOP lost many congressional majorities during the Great Depression and the democrats began to appeal to the working class by ushering in legislation like the New Deal. As the GOP became more conservative, the democrats began working on the “southern strategy” to win over the black vote with candidates like JFK. This all culminated in 1965 when then Democrat LBJ, signed the civil rights act forcing many southern whites to reject the Democrats and become solidly Republican. As many white voters increasingly identified with the GOP throughout the 60s, and 70’s, this relationship was cemented with the presidency of Richard Nixon and then the election of Ronald Regan in the 80’s. The shift was complete!! The progressive party of Abraham Lincoln is now the party that embraces the confederate flag…