when and why did the ideology of democrats and republicans change?

Question

historically, didnt the democrats represent the south and the republicans the north, and werent the republicans of the north the liberal ones, such as wanting an end to slavery
what happened historically to change this around to the other way?

Answer 1

The Democratic Party was, in the early days of the United States, the party of States Rights (as opposed to the Federalist Party, which championed the power of the federal government over the states.) Over the years, the Federalists fell apart and were replaced by the Whigs, then the Jacksonian Democrats. The Republican Party arose in New England as a fairly elitist party. But with the issue of slavery, many northern Democrats left the Democratic Party and joined the Republicans. But states rights were the dominant issue of the Civil War for the South, and the Democratic Party held to it throughout the war.

After the war, many Democrats who had joined the Repubicans on the issue of slavery returned to the Democratic party, but there were major differences between the Northern and Southern Democrats that kept them weak for decades.

It wasn't until 1910 that the Democrats won the White House again. During that time, the Republican Party had become the party of business, elitism, the Industrial Revolution, railroads, and destroying the Native American tribes. The Democrats became the party of liberalism, land reform, tax equity, and anti-trust legislation. They went, in essence from the party of States' Rights to the party of People's Rights. But they fell apart again after WWI on issues of prohibition (north was against it, south was for it), women's sufferage (same) and debate over the Versailles treaty.

Still, many southern Democrats were fairly conservative on social issues. The old states' rights concepts were still very much alive in the South. Any many southerners remained loyal to the Democrats simply because they were NOT the party of Abe Lincoln, whom they despised.

But while the Southern Democrats were licking their wounds, the Northern Democrats really took control of the party and established its modern identity. That identity is best seen through the actions of two of its leaders, Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt.

Answer 2

The end to Slavery was not about RIGHT or WRONG it was about Money. Republicans(North) wanted to end Slavery, land was more of a premium in the North than the South. The North was becoming more Industrial States it was cheaper to pay wages then to house, feed, and clothed families. Whereas the Democrats(South) had Acres of farm land and needed slaves to work the land. The Civil War was about Money.

Answer 3

I think the shift hasn't been one party with the other. Instead, I think it went from both parties saying "I think my way is the way to help the most people. Vote for me." and going to "I think this is what I have to say to get more people to vote for me...."

Instead of trying to find the best thing to do for the country, they just want to WIN, just to be in power, put on the spin, and claim that they've done good things. I don't think we can blame the politicians for this any more than we can blame Hollywood for the trash they now produce. It's what the American public is buying. American voters are too lazy to actually find out what someone would do if elected, and further, what that would do to our country.

Answer 4

i'm delighted to be out of sync with a international that makes television shows like "the real Housewives" tops in viewership. Please, shop hating my values - it supplies me a deep experience of pride to be so fully rejected with the help of any such wide crew of nitwits.

Answer 5

People switch parties and bring their ideas with them. Parties want to win. Politics is all about compromise.