Who was the founder of the Republican Party (GOP) of the United States?

The Republican Party, also known as the GOP (Grand Old Party), is one of the two major political parties in the United States, alongside the Democratic Party. The party has played a central role in American politics for over 150 years. While many people associate Abraham Lincoln with the early Republican Party, the ideological and political foundations trace back to Thomas Jefferson, who is widely regarded as a key inspiration for its principles. Jefferson, the third President of the United States, strongly advocated for individual liberty, democratic governance, and limited government—values that later influenced the formation of the Republican Party.

The Republican Party was officially founded in the 1850s in response to growing national tensions over slavery and the need to unify anti-slavery political groups. It brought together former Whigs, Free Soilers, and anti-slavery Democrats, forming a coalition aimed at stopping the expansion of slavery into new territories. Thomas Jefferson’s earlier political philosophy of equality, civic responsibility, and federal restraint provided the intellectual backbone for many of these leaders, earning him recognition as the ideological founder of the party’s core values.

Understanding the origins of the Republican Party is an important part of General Knowledge MCQs, as questions on U.S. political history are common in competitive exams, quizzes, and interviews. Remembering Thomas Jefferson as the founder helps contextualize the GOP’s early mission, its alignment with democratic ideals, and its historical evolution into one of the most influential political institutions in American history.