The Republican Party changed in the 1800s.
Republican Party (United States) . Founded by anti-slavery activists , modernists , ex-Whigs , and ex-Free Soilers in 1854 , the Republicans dominated politics nationally and in the majority of northern States for most of the period between 1860 and 1932 . As of 2017 , the Republican Party is documented as being at its strongest position politically since 1928 .