Republican National Convention of 1856

The Republican National Convention of 1856 was the first major gathering of the newly formed Republican Party, which aimed to oppose the expansion of slavery into the Western territories of the United States. Held in Philadelphia, delegates nominated John C. Frémont, a military leader, as their presidential candidate. The convention defined the party's stance against slavery, attracting various groups opposed to it, including former Whigs and Free Soilers. This convention marked a significant moment in American politics, setting the stage for the party's rise and the eventual election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860.