Who were the Know-Nothings and what did they stand for?

Who were the Know-Nothings and what did they stand for?

The Know-Nothings started in 1849 as a secret organization with an anti-immigrant agenda. Reacting against the large tide of immigrants arriving in the 1840s, they actively promoted “natives,” which they defined as American-born Protestants.

What were the purposes of the Know Nothing Party?

The best known of these nativist groups came to be called the American Party, and its adherents as Know-Nothings. The aim of the Know-Nothing movement was to combat foreign influences and to uphold and promote traditional American ways.

What political party did German and Irish immigrants join?

The most influential of these parties, the Know Nothings, was anti-Catholic and wanted to extend the amount of time it took immigrants to become citizens and voters. They also wanted to prevent foreign-born people from ever holding public office.

Why did the Know Nothing Party want to prevent immigrants from voting?

The Know-Nothing party suggested using many tools of suppression to keep immigrant voters from the polls. They advocated limiting the right to vote to U.S. citizens, and they wanted to make it more difficult for immigrants to become citizens.

Why did the Know-Nothing Party want to prevent immigrants from voting?

When was Know Nothing Party founded?

1844
Know Nothing/Founded

When did the Know-Nothing Party become the American Party?

The Know-Nothing Party adopted the American Party as its official name in 1854. The Know-Nothing Party quickly grew in popularity in the North, where most recent immigrants to the United States resided. In 1854, Know-Nothing candidates even won control of the Massachusetts legislature.

Who were the Know-Nothings?

In 1856 the Know-Nothings held their first and only national convention in Philadelphia where, as the American party, they supported former President MILLARD FILLMORE as their presidential candidate.

What is the Know-Nothing movement?

The Know-Nothing movement was actually a group of secret anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish and anti-immigrant political organizations that called itself the American party.

Why did James Barker leave the Know-Nothing Party?

Despite such shows of public support, the party was fracturing. According to an 1869 obituary of Know-Nothing leader James W. Barker in the New York Times, Barker had essentially left the party in the late 1850s and threw his support behind Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln in the election of 1860.