Here is a time line of Third (Independent) Parties:
1832--A group of Republicans resented Andrew Jackson's membership in the Freemasons Society, therefore created the Anti-Mason Party, which was the first independent third party.
1848--Free Soil Party was created, they supported the Wilmot Proviso. Wilmot Proviso promoted to abolish slavery in any territory from Mexico.
1852--The Know-Nothing Party also known as the American Party was formed. They were former Democrats that opposed the influx of Catholic immigrants entering the United States.
1856--Know-Nothing Party weakens and most of its members join the Republican Party.
1892--The Populist Party was formed. This group consisted of small farmers, sharecropper and tenants. They were opposed to the large commercial agricultural that put them out of work. They were in favor of federally regulated communication, transportation, and banking systems.
1912--Former Republican Theodore Roosevelt formed the Progressive Party (also, known as the Bull Moose Party). The Progressives were in favor of Women's Suffrage and environmentalism.
1971--Libertarian Party was formed by David Nolan in his home on Dec. 11th. This party was formed from disillusioned Republicans and Democrats, hoping to create an alternative to the two party systems. This party is currently the 3rd largest political party in the United States.
1988--Ron Paul ran for President under the Libertarian ticket defeating activist, Russell Means, for the nomination.
1992--Ross Perot formed the Reform Party during his presidential campaign. He won 19 percent of the popular vote. Reformists want to take the power back to the people and take power away from special interests group. In 1996, Perot ran for president again, but lost. Jesse Ventura, a reformist, ran for governor of Minnesota in 1998 and won.
There you have it, a short summary of Independent Parties throughout history. Though, the Independents have not made much of a dent, they are significant because they offer an alternative which is so desperately needed in our time.
The spirit of American independence is ingrained in the Independent Third Parties; the Declaration of Independence states: "But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariable the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government."
If you are an Independent, be proud that you possess an independent spirit that cannot be quenched, as long as you declare freedom and liberty in your heart, mind, and soul.
