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On this day in history, March 20, 1854, Republican Party founded to oppose expansion of slavery

On this day in history, March 20, 1854, a group of anti-slavery activists gathered in a schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin to found the Republican Party. The party was created as a means of uniting those in opposition to the spread of slavery and advocating for the promotion of free labor, free soil, and free speech.

At the time, the vast majority of Americans were in support of slavery, a practice that had been accepted since the country’s inception. The Republican Party, however, was founded on the belief that all men were created equal, and thus slavery was an affront to the Constitution.

The party quickly gained traction, and in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as its first president. During his presidency, Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation which declared all slaves in Confederate-controlled areas to be free. The Republican Party was also instrumental in the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery throughout the entire United States.

Today, the Republican Party is still a major political force in the United States. While the party’s platform has evolved greatly since its founding, it remains largely focused on the principles of limited government, economic freedom, and individual liberty. The party’s commitment to these principles has resonated with many Americans for generations, making it one of the most influential political parties in the country.

The legacy of the Republican Party continues to this day, and its founding on this day in 1854 stands as a reminder of the power of unity and the strength of the human spirit.