Bizarre Political Parties in U.S. History
There have been many political parties in American history, but only a select few have made a significant impact. Here is a sample of the myriad of unusual and obscure political parties in U.S. history, both past and present . All of these political parties have run candidates for office, although not necessarily for president. They are in no particular order.
U.S. Marijuana Party
One of two currently active parties on this list, the Marijuana Party obviously advocates for the legalization of cannabis use. They argue that cannabis is less dangerous than alcohol and nicotine. Since those two substances are legal, they believe pot should be too. They may have a point (I don’t know enough about narcotics to have an opinion), but they make this list for being a single-issue party devoted to a very minor political issue. Why aren’t their single-issue parties devoted to economic growth, health care, education, etc.? The U.S. Marijuana Party has run candidates for state-wide office, but so far they do not seem to have a 2012 presidential candidate. They espouse views that generally correspond with those of the more well-known Libertarian Party.
Prohibition Party
The oldest and most durable party on this list, the Prohibition Party (as its name suggests) advocates for the criminalization of all alcoholic beverages. It also wants stronger reinforcement of laws against other drugs. I bet a debate between these folks and the Marijuana Party would be entertaining! This remarkably resilient party has nominated a presidential candidate every cycle since 1872, including this year, although their 2008 candidate received only a few hundred votes nationwide. By comparison, their 1904 candidate received over 250,000 votes despite a much smaller voting pool. They are the oldest third party in U.S. history.
Natural Law Party
This party believed that transcendental meditation was the key to solving the country’s problems. They advocated government subsidization of expert meditators to teach people their techniques. This “New Age” party ran physicist John Hagelin for president in 1992, 1996, and 2000. He failed to make a significant electoral dent and the party gradually faded away, although a tiny splinter group still endures in Michigan.
Anti-Masonic Party
Yet another single issue party, the Anti-Masons believed the organization known as the Free Masons (which still exists today) were a secret society aiming to take over the country and eliminate its democratic principles. Ironically, many of the founding fathers themselves had been Free Masons, including George Washington. The party existed during the 1830’s. They won two gubernatorial elections (in Vermont and Pennsylvania) and ran a candidate for president in 1836. The Anti-Masons were later absorbed by the Whig Party.
Know Nothing Party
Officially named the American Party, the Know Nothings were essentially a glorified hate group that were politically relevant in the mid-19th century. They were xenophobes who wanted to restrict immigration, especially from countries with large Catholic populations like Germany and Ireland. They believed that only white male Protestants should be able to run for office. The party was very controversial even by 1850’s standards. Future president Abraham Lincoln was one of many who were disgusted by them. They ran former president Millard Fillmore as their presidential nominee in 1856. He captured one state (Maryland) but failed to seriously complete. The party had dissolved by the 1860’s. The Know Nothings are the least unusual party on this list, however, as many other political parties have adopted their basic ideology over the last 150 years.
For More Bizarre Political Parties
- Bizarre Political Parties in US History Part 2
Just when you thought it was safe to go back on hubpages...a second article about bizarre American political parties!
Related Articles
- Great Presidential Campaign Ads
This article profiles six famous presidential campaign ads of the last sixty years. Ads for Eisenhower, Johnson, Reagan, HW Bush, Clinton, and Obama are featured. Includes a link and a poll. - Five Accidental Presidents in U.S. History
This is an article about presidents who never directly elected to the presidency. - Top Four People Mistakenly Believed to Have Been A U...
This article discusses mistaken beliefs, myths, and legends regarding certain historical figures who are mistakenly believed to have been U.S. Presidents. - Funny Presidential Quotes
This is a collection of amusing quotes made by U.S. Presidents. - More Funny Presidential Quotes
Another article with funny presidential quotes. - Top Four People Mistakenly Believed to Have Been A U...
This article discusses mistaken beliefs, myths, and legends regarding certain historical figures who are mistakenly believed to have been U.S. Presidents.
Links
- U.S. Marijuana Party
- Know-Nothing Party - Nativist American Political Party of the 1850s Proud to Be Called Know-Nothings
Learn about the American political party called the Know-Nothings, which campaigned against immigrants, specifically new arrivals from Ireland in the 1840s and 1850s. - The Prohibition Party
- The Anti-Masonic Party
The role of The Anti-Masonic Party in the history of the United States of America. - The Natural Law Party of the United States of America
The Natural Law Party of the USA; promoting conflict-free politics for a problem-free nation and proven solutions for America through prevention-oriented government. The best government is nature's government--natural law--which governs our universe