Research Guides
The Republican Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States, the second one being the Democratic Party. The origins of the modern Republican Party date back to 1854 and opposition to the spread of slavery in the western states, among several other major issues. Today's party is usually to the right of the Democratic Party on most issues, i.e. more conservative. It tends to support reduction in the size of the federal government with more power and accountability going to the states and individuals.