Know Nothing Party

Definition

The Know Nothing Party, also known as the American Party, was a nativist political party in the United States that was active in the 1850s. It was characterized by its opposition to immigration and the influence of foreign-born residents in American politics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Know Nothing Party emerged in response to the large influx of immigrants, particularly from Ireland and Germany, during the 1840s and 1850s.
2. The party advocated for restricting immigration, denying citizenship to immigrants, and limiting the political participation of foreign-born residents.
3. Know Nothings were also known for their anti-Catholic sentiments, fearing the growing influence of the Catholic Church in American politics.
4. The party's name came from the secretive nature of its meetings, where members were instructed to respond 'I know nothing' when asked about the organization.
5. The Know Nothing Party had some success in local and state elections, but its influence waned as the American Civil War approached and the Republican Party gained prominence.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Know Nothing Party's nativist and anti-immigrant policies were connected to the African American 'Great Migration' and new European immigration during this period.
  • The Know Nothing Party's nativist and anti-immigrant policies were a direct response to the large influx of European immigrants, particularly from Ireland and Germany, during the 1840s and 1850s. This wave of new immigration coincided with the African American 'Great Migration' from the South to the North, as African Americans sought economic and social opportunities outside the constraints of the Jim Crow South. The Know Nothings viewed both the European immigrants and the African American migrants as threats to the political and social dominance of native-born, white, Protestant Americans, leading them to advocate for restrictive immigration policies and the exclusion of these groups from the political process.
• Analyze the role of anti-Catholic sentiment within the Know Nothing Party and how it related to the experiences of new European immigrants during this time.
  • The Know Nothing Party was characterized by its strong anti-Catholic sentiment, which was directed primarily at the growing influence of the Catholic Church among the new European immigrants, particularly from Ireland and Germany. The Know Nothings viewed the Catholic Church as a foreign, un-American institution that threatened the dominance of Protestant values and traditions. This anti-Catholic bias was a key part of the party's nativist platform, as they sought to limit the political and social influence of the Catholic immigrants. The Know Nothings' hostility towards Catholics and their perceived threat to American identity was a significant factor in shaping the experiences of new European immigrants during this period, as they faced discrimination and exclusion from political and social institutions.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Know Nothing Party's policies and how they contributed to the broader debates around immigration, citizenship, and national identity in the United States.
  • The Know Nothing Party's nativist and anti-immigrant policies, while short-lived as a political force, had lasting implications for the debates around immigration, citizenship, and national identity in the United States. The party's success in local and state elections, as well as its influence on the national political discourse, helped to solidify the idea of 'native-born' Americans as the rightful holders of political and social power, in contrast to the 'foreign' influences of immigrants and minority groups. This laid the groundwork for ongoing debates and policies around restricting immigration, denying citizenship to immigrants, and defining the boundaries of American identity. The Know Nothings' legacy can be seen in the subsequent rise of other nativist and restrictionist movements, as well as in the persistent tensions around the role of immigrants and minority groups in American society. The party's impact on these issues continues to reverberate in contemporary political and social discussions around immigration and national identity.

Related terms

Nativism:

The policy of favoring native-born inhabitants over immigrants, especially in matters of employment and politics.

Anti-Catholicism: Hostility, fear, or intolerance towards the Catholic Church, its doctrines, and its adherents.

Xenophobia:

The fear or hatred of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange.