This four-minute video shows students how the Anti-Masonic Party pioneered the political party convention as a means of nominating presidential candidates. An engaging illustration of the democratizing political trends of the 1820s and 1830s, the video explores the populist impulses that animated the Anti-Masonic Party, and how its anti-establishment ideology, combined with political necessity, led to its rejection of the congressional nominating caucus and its embrace of participatory party conventions. Useful for lessons focused on the expansion of the franchise during the 1820s and 30s, the video also helps students see the connection between the anti-establishment politics of the past and the present.
The Birth of the U.S. Political Convention in 1831
In 1831, a radical third party had a new idea for selecting a presidential candidate, and it’s still in use today: the national nominating convention.
This series was produced by Matt Spolar, in partnership with Politico.
Educators, check out our “Political Parties & Conventions” Education Collection.
Stay up to date. Subscribe to our newsletters.
Previous versions
At Retro Report, we update our journalism as news unfolds. Here are the previous published versions of this story.
For teachers
- Lesson plan 1: The Birth of Party Conventions – the Anti-Masonic Party (1831)
- Read transcript
- Book a producer
- Producer: Matthew Spolar
- Editor: Brian Kamerzel
- Associate Producer: Victor Couto
- Update Producer: Sianne Garlick
- Update Producer: Sandra McDaniel
- Update Editor: Heru Muharrar
For Educators
Subjects
Topics
Lesson Plan 1: The Birth of Party Conventions – the Anti-Masonic Party (1831)