Committee to Organize a Libertarian Party

The Committee to Form a Libertarian Party was the precursor to the modern Libertarian Party. It was formed to debate the desirability of a specifically Libertarian political force. It was founded July 17, 1971 by David Nolan, a Colorado consultant and businessman, and 4 friends to co-ordinate interest in a founding a US Libertarian Party.

It was preceded by several abortive attempts, including a Libertarian Party in California, a functional Libertarian group in Florida that remains as the Libertarian Party of Florida, and a Libertarian Party formed in 1856 by Manuel de Lemos and J. De Jacques which evolved into the Libertarian and Workingmen's Library.

Contrary to common belief, the Committee was preceded by groups such as the Radical Libertarian Alliance, and the extant Libertarian Alliance UK in promoting Libertarian political action. It dissolved upon the founding convention of the newly formed Libertarian Party, which soon attracted libertarians in the other parties, began running local and national candidates.