American Party (1969)

The American Party of the United States is a conservative party in the United States. The party adheres to its Permanent Principles, which were established in 1969.

The party began as part of the American Independent Party, supporters of George Wallace's 1968 campaign for the presidency. In 1969, the AIP became the American Party at a convention attended by representatives from 37 states. Following the 1972 election, the American Party split from the American Independent Party. Both of the parties have nominated candidates for the presidency and other offices, although the AIP has considered itself a California affiliate of the Constitution Party. In New York, the American Party ran a state ticket in 1974 under the name of Courage Party, because a state law there prohibits the use of the word "American" on the ballot. The American Party won its strongest finish in the 1972 presidential election; nominee John G. Schmitz carried 1,090,673 votes (3rd place).

In 1990, a small number of members of the party began the Christian Party, whose membership reportedly grew at a faster rate, but nothing came of it.

The American Party has failed to achieve ballot status in any state since 1996. The party's website disappeared sometime in 2008. In 2010 the Ohio party endorsed several Libertarian Party candidates.

The party had a Florida affiliate, the American Party of Florida, that appeared to carry on operations into June 2011, but became defunct after that and no longer is listed as a political party in Florida.

In 2015, the party created a new website, a Twitter account and Facebook page were also created. The American Party is now known as the American Party of the United States, and is not affiliated with the American Party of South Carolina, the Independent American Party, or the American Party of America.