## Overview of the Green Party The Green Party of the United States (GPUS) is a national political party dedicated to progressive policies, particularly environmentalism, social justice, and grassroots democracy. Founded in its modern form in 2001, the party traces its roots back to 1984 when local activists in Maine established the first state-level Green Party[3][4]. ### History The Green Party's early history involves the formation of state-level parties and the creation of the Green Committees of Correspondence in the late 1980s. This movement was influenced by European Green parties, especially in Germany and the UK. In 1991, the Greens/Green Party USA (G/GPUSA) was established, focusing on grassroots organizing. However, the party's path to becoming a national entity was marked by debates over electoral politics versus movement building. The Association of State Green Parties, formed in 1996, eventually evolved into the GPUS in 2001[4][5]. ### Key Achievements - **Electoral Successes**: The Green Party has run national presidential tickets since 1996. Notable candidates include Ralph Nader, who received nearly three million votes in 2000, and Jill Stein, who holds the record for the most votes received by a woman in a U.S. presidential election in 2012[1]. - **Local and State Elections**: Hundreds of Greens have been elected to various offices across the U.S., from state legislatures to local positions[1]. - **Policy Influence**: The party supports the Green New Deal, universal healthcare, and other progressive causes, contributing to broader discussions on environmental and social policies[3]. ### Current Status and Notable Aspects Today, the GPUS is known for its **Four Pillars**: peace, ecology, social justice, and democracy, and its **Ten Key Values**, which include grassroots democracy, ecological wisdom, and nonviolence[3]. The party continues to advocate for