The Grand Old Party or GOP is another name for the Republican political party in the United States. The party began in the 1850′s largely as an anti-slavery or abolitionist party. The party founders believed their ideals were closest to Thomas Jefferson and so they chose a name, Republican, that was similar to Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican party.
Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican president. After the Civil War it was perceived that Republicans had been the victors. Members of the very new organization dominated government and many began referring to the party as the Gallant Old Party as an ironic joke. This was later changed to Grand Old Party and then shortened to GOP.
The name has remained a fixture in American politics every since.
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