Final answer:
The Republican Party's contributions to the Civil War included advocating for the abolition of slavery, supporting the Union, providing military leadership and resources, and implementing policies to strengthen the economy and infrastructure. Their leadership under Abraham Lincoln was crucial for the Union's victory and the eventual abolition of slavery. The party's efforts to unify and expand the belief in human rights significantly impacted the course and outcome of the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contributions of the Republican Party to the Civil War
The contributions of the Republican Party to the Civil War were multifaceted. First and foremost, they advocated for the abolition of slavery, which was a central issue of the time and a driving force behind the party's formation. The election of Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, prompted the secession of Southern states, leading to the outbreak of the Civil War. Republicans supported the Union and fought against secession, standing firmly for preserving the nation.
During the Civil War, the Republican Party provided military leadership and resources to support the Union war effort. Abraham Lincoln's leadership as a Republican president was pivotal, and under his administration, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. The Republicans also implemented policies to strengthen the economy and infrastructure, which were essential for supporting the war effort and the nation's recovery post-war.
In an effort to unify the country and gain broader support, the Republican Party, during Lincoln's re-election campaign, formed an alliance with the 'War' Democrats, rebranding as the National Union Party. This helped gain the support of those Democrats who were in favor of the war but did not identify with the Republican Party. Moreover, the Republican platform expanded to promote 'free soil' and 'free men', encompassing the belief in human rights and the freedom of labor, even though racial equality was not the focus of the majority within the party at the time.
In summary, the Republican Party played a crucial role in leading the nation through the Civil War, with significant contributions including the abolition of slavery, supporting the Union, providing military leadership, and institutiton of strong economic and infrastructural policies that were essential for victory and the nation's future integrity.