The Anti-Masonic Party was a political party in the United States that emerged in the early 19th century, specifically around 1826. It was formed in response to the growing influence of the Freemasons, a secretive fraternal organization. The party aimed to combat what its members viewed as the corrupting power of the Masons in politics and society. The Anti-Masonic Party was the first third party in the U.S. and gained significant traction in the 1830s, even holding a national convention in 1830. However, its influence waned by the late 1830s as other political issues, such as slavery and economic concerns, took precedence in American politics.