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In I865 the Republicans were condemning the conservative Dixie leaders, priding themselves on their Radicalism, deal-ing with the problems of the freedmen, and Conducting a reconstruction of national political Institutions, all In the name of democracy and Justice. By 18?? the GOP was aligned with the southern Democrats In a coalition designed to defend property, privilege, and high finance. In the past historians have often explained the transformation by arguing that the differences were only apparent and not real. These traditional versions have contended that the Radicals were political opportunists who helped the ex-slaves only because they needed black votes In order to stay in office. This study is an attempt to reinvestigate the party during the Reconstruction era in order to understand the degree and nature of the changes. The paper reviews the basis of th