Howell 99-101

National Party Conventions: Historical Overview

The concept of national nominating conventions emerged as early as 1822.
In 1832, the Democratic Party hosted the first national party convention to select nominees.
Although it was a significant event, the 1832 convention aimed to nominate a vice-presidential candidate, not a presidential one.
Background: Andrew Jackson was expected to be the Democratic nominee for president, leading to John C. Calhoun's resignation and prompting the search for a new vice-presidential candidate.
Event: The first Democratic National Convention took place in Baltimore in May 1832, where Martin Van Buren was nominated.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, state legislators selected delegates for national conventions rather than the general public.
State legislators appointed local party loyalists as delegates, reinforcing the power of local party bosses and ensuring control over the nomination process.
This relationship benefitted both the legislators and the party bosses, strengthening local political agendas.

Party bosses wielded significant power within the conventions, often leading to unexpected nominations of lesser-known candidates.
Notable examples include Garfield in 1880 and other