The Republican Party was established in 1854, primarily with the goal of opposing the expansion of slavery into new territories in the United States. The party emerged as a response to the controversial Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed the possibility of slavery in previously free territories. Republicans aimed to halt the spread of slavery and promote the ideals of free labor, economic growth, and social progress. Over time, the party's goals have evolved, but its initial purpose focused on challenging the expansion and influence of slavery.
