Anti-Masonic Party

Anti-Masonic Party, U.S. political party (1827–36), formed to oppose Freemasons in politics. The Masons were accused, without proof, of murdering the author of a book claiming to reveal the secrets of Masonry. The Anti-Masons held the first national nominating convention (1831) and were the first to issue a written party platform. They eventually helped form the Whig Party.

See also: Whig Party.