<P> After the bitter break with the Republicans in Congress over Reconstruction policies, Johnson used federal patronage to build up a party of loyalists, but it proved to be unsuccessful . Johnson's friends sponsored the 1866 National Union Convention in August 1866 in Philadelphia as part of his attempt at maintaining a coalition of supporters . The convention sought to bring together moderate and conservative Republicans and defecting Democrats and forge an unbeatable coalition behind President Johnson and his Reconstruction policy . </P> <P> In the fall of 1866, Johnson embarked upon a speaking tour (known as the "Swing Around the Circle") before the 1866 Congressional elections to attempt to garner support for his policies . His swing was heavily ridiculed and proved ineffective as more of his opponents were elected . Republican National Committee chairman Henry Jarvis Raymond (1864--1866) lost the regard of the Republicans for his participation in the convention . The National Union movement became little more than the Democratic Party in a new form as Republicans left the movement and returned to the old party fold by the fall . </P> <P> The last congressman to represent the National Union Party ended his affiliation with the party in March 1867 . Johnson was impeached by the Republican - led House of Representatives in 1868 and was acquitted in the Senate by one vote . Upon the 1869 expiration of Johnson's only term as President, the National Union Party came to an end . The platform adopted at the 1868 Republican National Convention strongly repudiated President Johnson while the platform adopted by the 1868 Democratic National Convention thanked Johnson . Johnson received dozens of votes on the first ballot of the Democratic convention, but the party ultimately nominated Horatio Seymour . Meanwhile, the mainline Republicans decided at their 1868 national convention to use the term the National Union Republican Convention . The 1868 National Union Republican delegates nominated Ulysses S. Grant for President and his running mate Schuyler Colfax for Vice President . In 1872, all reference to Union had disappeared . Historians regard the initial National Union coalition assembled in 1864 as part of the Republican Party lineage and heritage . </P>

After the civil war what did the republicans rename their party