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The '''Third Party System''' was the political universe in American politics from about 1854 to the mid 1890s (see [[Second Party System]], [[Fourth Party System]]).  

The '''Third Party System''' was the political universe in American politics from about 1856 to 1896 (see [[Second Party System]], [[Fourth Party System]]).  

The Third Party System was dominated by the newly created [[Republican Party]], which claimed success in saving the Union, abolishing [[slavery]], enfranchising the freedmen, and adopting many of the [[Whig Party]]'s progressive, or modern programs such as national banks, railroads, high [[tariffs]], homesteads and aid to the land grant colleges. It includes the politics of what is now called the [[Gilded Age]]. The [[Democratic Party]] was very competitive in most states, but won the presidency only in 1856, 1884 and 1892. In 1892, the [[Populist Party]] made a regional showing, winning 22 Electoral College votes and one million popular votes.

The Third Party System was dominated by the newly created [[Republican Party]], which claimed success in saving the Union, abolishing [[slavery]], enfranchising the freedmen, and adopting many of the [[Whig Party]]'s progressive, or modern programs such as national banks, railroads, high [[tariffs]], homesteads and aid to the land grant colleges. It includes the politics of what is now called the [[Gilded Age]]. The [[Democratic Party]] was very competitive in most states, but won the presidency only in 1856, 1884 and 1892. In 1892, the [[Populist Party]] made a regional showing, winning 22 Electoral College votes and one million popular votes.