Chapter 20: Party politics in an Era of Social and Economic Upheaval Contested Political Vision Political parties in the nineteenth century energized voters by appealing to their economic self interests and by linking their programs to deeply held beliefs about the nature of the family and the proper role of the government. Republicans: b4 the civil war, the Rep. had enhanced economic opportunity by using gov. authority to expand railroads, increase tariff protection for industry, and provide land subsidies for farmers. It also espoused a belief in female moral superiority and a willingness to use gov to protect family life. Hostility to slavery was based on the belief that it eroded family values. After the war, this became Rep. ideology.