Lincoln was a Republican

But it needs to be remembered that it was NOT a conservative Republican, but he was part of the "Radical Republicans", which were "Radical" because they were extremely liberal and the Radical Republicans stronghold was the liberal North East.

So yeah, Lincoln was a Republican, but Republicans back then are Democrats today.

And the Democrats back then, were the conservative party with their stronghold in the South.

Note, Lincoln was a moderate, you didn't really agree with either extreme.

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WestonTexan · 18-21, M

Yep. The parties in the past were not one-to-one what they are today. In the early 20th century, the Republicans had a spin-off party, the Progressives, which believed in social reform through big government. Obviously not what the Republicans of today support. Even into the mid-20th century, the parties had liberal and conservative "wings" (conservative southern Democrats contrasted with liberal New Deal Democrats, for example). It was only in the Civil Rights era that they started to sort themselves into what they are today.

DogMan · 61-69, M

So when did this "Change" take place? Right to Left and Left to right?

Today's Republicans are actually closer to the classic Liberal. The far left progressives in charge now, are in no way Liberal.

sstronaut

@DogMan You can start arguments over official timelines especially when it started... as it happened over decades and with the civil rights movement.

But the Republicans stuck with the wealthy business owners the entire time, it's just that the laws changed, from Protecting the Wealthy Business Owners, to then protecting employees and workers and now they Wealthy Business Owners were not against it and were against Government and wanting to go back to the old ways. So Republicans stayed with the money though the transition of being liberal to then being conservative.

https://www.studentsofhistory.com/ideologies-flip-Democratic-Republican-parties

DogMan · 61-69, M

@sstronaut So when did the new Democrats start getting in bed with the wealthy? The have more billionaire donors
than the right. So if you are a classic liberal today, you would have to be part of the Republican party, right?

Classical liberalism (sometimes called English liberalism[1][2][3]) is a political tradition and a branch of liberalism that advocates free market and laissez-faire economics and civil liberties under the rule of law, with special emphasis on individual autonomy, limited government, economic freedom, political freedom and freedom of speech.[4] Classical liberalism, contrary to liberal branches like social liberalism, looks more negatively on social policies, taxation and the state involvement in the lives of individuals, and it advocates deregulation.[5]

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

Freeing the slaves was a pretty radical idea back then..😷

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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@sstronaut I suggest you watch "Cool Hand Luke" 😷

sstronaut

@whowasthatmaskedman I could watch game of thrones as well, but that doesn't mean it's based in reality.

Especially when talking about reality of today.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@sstronaut Granted. It was just such a good scene..
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