The southern states were the majority of the Democratic Party which was a rebellion against the United States. The northern states were the republic party fighting to pursue the union of the United States. The Republican Party was first known as the Whig party. In 1854 the Whig party became the Republican Party. The Democratic Party is the oldest party in the United States. The Democratic Party used to be called the Thomas Jefferson party. The Jefferson party was based on faith and the virtue and ability of the common man and limited the power of the federal government. The republicans were belligerent towards the south. The republicans were regarded by the democrats with mingled hatred and fear as sectional intention increased. (http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/republican-party-the-civil-war-reconstruction-years.html)