INDEPENDENT PARTIES
Although the United States has a firmly established two-party system, independent parties play an important role in U.S. politics. Democrats and Republicans win the vast majority of federal, state, and local elections, but independent candidates often reflect popular attitudes and concerns. Most independent parties—also
known as third parties—begin in response to a
specific issue, candidate, or political philosophy.
The current two-party system of Democrats
and Republicans evolved during the mid–
nineteenth century. Before that, the Democrats
squared off against the Whigs, led by HENRY
CLAY and DANIEL WEBSTER. The WHIG PARTY
was founded around 1834 to oppose the pop-
ulist policies of Democratic president ANDREW
JACKSON. Its members objected to Jackson’s
views on banking and the designation of federal
funds, among other things.
Although Whig presidential candidates were
successful in 1840 (WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON)
and 1848 (ZACHARY TAYLOR), the party survived
for less than 40 years. In the 1850s, the Republi-
cans entered the political scene as independents.
After Republican Abraham Lincoln’s victory in
the 1860 U.S. presidential race, the REPUBLICAN
PARTY replaced the Whig party as the main party
opposing the Democrats.Many northern Whigs
joined the Republicans, whereas southern Whigs
became aligned with the Democrats.
The platforms and purposes of independent
parties, both past and present, vary tremen-
dously. Some independent parties, such as the
Socialist Party, the Communist Party, and the
LIBERTARIAN PARTY, were formed to promote
their political world views rather than a single
issue or a charismatic leader. The Socialist Party,
founded in 1901, has been relatively successful
and long-lasting. Its heyday was around 1912,
when its candidate EUGENE V. DEBS received
about six percent of the popular vote in the pres-
idential election. That same year, more than
1,000 Socialists held elected positions through-
out the United States.
Other independent parties were founded by
dissident progressives from one or both of the
major parties. In 1912, progressives in the
Republican Party broke off and formed the PRO-
GRESSIVE PARTY, also known as the Bull Moose
Party, naming former U.S. president THEODORE
ROOSEVELT as its presidential candidate. Roo-
sevelt lost to Democratic nominee WOODROW
WILSON in the general election.
In 1924, another progressive party, called the
League for Progressive Political Action, was
launched. This party backed Senator ROBERT M.
LA FOLLETTE, of Wisconsin, who received 16
percent of the popular vote while losing to
Republican incumbent CALVIN COOLIDGE.
In 1948, progressives in the DEMOCRATIC
PARTY formed still another Progressive Party. It
supported Henry A. Wallace in an unsuccessful
