We're witnessing 'the possible collapse of the Republican Party as we know it': Historian

House Republicans have now been trying for three weeks to elect a new speaker, which is the most basic of tasks required by members of the House of Representatives.

In taking stock of multiple weeks of futility, Eastern Connecticut State University historian Thomas Balcerski believes that the GOP may finally be on the verge of cracking up for good.

Writing at CNN, Balcerski makes the case that the current turmoil by House Republicans goes beyond the usual intraparty dispute and could portend something much more stark: "The possible collapse of the Republican Party as we know it."

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As historical precedent, he looks back to the Whig Party of the 19th century that collapsed in spectacular fashion due to its internal divisions over slavery.

The historian also examines the splintering of the Democratic Party in 1860 after Abraham Lincoln's election to the presidency spurred southern states to secede from the union.

"Like the Whigs parted ways over the issue of slavery, Republicans today seem divided among those who wish to govern and those who wish merely to make noise," he concludes. "If the Republicans of today remain deadlocked, they will suffer a fate similar to that of Democrats in 1860. A failure to reach a majority consensus signals the doom of an American political party."