A splinter party is a political group that breaks away from a larger party, often due to disagreements over policies, leadership, or ideology. One notable example of a splinter party is the Bull Moose Party in the United States.
The Bull Moose Party, officially known as the Progressive Party, was formed in 1912 by former President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt had been a prominent member of the Republican Party but left after a falling out with the incumbent President William Howard Taft. The new party was created to promote progressive reforms, including women’s suffrage, social welfare programs, and regulation of large corporations.
Although the Bull Moose Party did not win the presidency, it significantly impacted American politics by splitting the Republican vote, which contributed to the election of Democrat Woodrow Wilson. The party’s existence highlights how internal conflicts within a major party can lead to the formation of splinter groups that influence the political landscape.