Page "United States House of Representatives elections, 1872" Paragraph 1

Grant's Republican Party increased its majority greatly at the expense of the opposition Democratic Party.

The pro-industry outlook of the Republicans appealed to many Northern voters, especially as the post-war economy exploded, and this allowed the party to flourish as the Industrial Revolution grew more widespread.

The Republicans also benefited from a continuing association with Civil War victory as well as disarray amongst Democratic leadership.