Final answer:
The support for each political party in the United States has shifted over time and varies by region. Urban areas and the Northeast tend to lean Democratic, while the South and rural areas tend to vote Republican.
Step-by-step explanation:
The support for each political party in the United States has shifted over time and varies by region. For example, until the 1980s, northern and midwestern Republicans were often fairly progressive, supporting racial equality, workers' rights, and farm subsidies. Southern Democrats were frequently socially and racially conservative and strong supporters of states' rights.
In general, voters in the South and the West tended to support the Democrats, while voters in New England, the Mid Atlantic, and the upper Midwest preferred the Whigs. The support for each party stemmed from a complex set of factors including economic interests, class, ethnic background, religious affiliation, and cultural factors.
In recent times, urban areas and the Northeast tend to lean Democratic, while the South and rural areas tend to vote Republican. These differences largely reflect political ideologies, with liberal, urban areas leaning Democratic and conservative, rural areas favoring the Republican Party.