1. Birth of the Republican Party
By Desiree and Aidan

2. Summary
At a school in Ripen, Wisconsin on Feb.1854 a meeting was held between the Whigs, The Antislavery Democrats and The Free Soilers to form a new political party.
The Republican Party was officially organized on July 6, 1854 in Jackson, Michigan.
Horace Greeley, one founder of the Republican Party Schoolhouse in Ripen, Wisconsin
Horace Greeley ~ One Founder of The Republican Party
The schoolhouse in which the Republican Party was established

3. Tensions Between North and South
The Kansas-Nebraska Act completely separated the Whigs between North and South.
In the Election of 1856, had the Republican candidate won, it is likely the South would have succeeded quickly afterwards.
The Republicans had proven that they were a legitimate power in the North in the Election of 1856 when their candidate carried 33% of the popular vote
The Kansas-Nebraska Act

4. The Republican Creed “I do not choose to be a common man.
“I do not choose to be a common man.
It is my right to be uncommon.
If I can seek opportunity, not security,
I want to take the calculated risk to dream and
build, to fail and to succeed.
I refused to barter incentive for dole.
I prefer the challenges of life to
guaranteed security, the thrill of fulfillment
to the state of calm utopia.
I will not trade freedom for beneficence,
nor my dignity for a handout.
I will never cower before any master,
save my God.
It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and
unafraid. To think and act for myself, enjoy the
benefit of my creations; to face the whole world
boldly and say, "I am a free American."
Kansas-Nebraska Act: Primary Source
(Division of Whigs)

5. The Election of 1856
In The election of 1856, The Democrats nominated James Buchanan as their candidate, The Republicans nominating John C. Freemont.
Buchanan won the election, raking in 45% of the popular vote. Freemont following with 33%.
John C. Freemont- Republican Nominee
James Buchanan-Democratic Nominee
The Democrats could now compete in the North without alienating Southern ideals and the Republicans were becoming a strong party in the North.
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6. Sources
Basler, RPB. (Photographer). (2010). Horace Greeley. [Web]. Retrieved from
James Buchanan picture and biography. (2010). [Web]. Retrieved from
Cheek, MC. (Designer). (2010). Retrieved from
The republican creed. (n.d.). Retrieved from
Andrew jackson. (2010, Oct. 21). Retrieved from