Know Nothing Party
Know Nothing Party
In 1844 the United States population was in upheaval over the issue of slavery. The Native American Party (later renamed the American Party) was originally founded in 1844 and known as the Know Nothing Party. Their members would always answer “I know nothing” when asked what they believed in.
It was primarily an anti-Catholic, xenophobic, anti-immigration party. Members sought to organize native-born Protestants in defense of traditional religious values. It is remembered for this theme because of fears by Protestants that Catholic priests and bishops would control a large bloc of voters.
In the South, the party did not emphasize anti-Catholicism but was the main alternative to the dominant Democratic Party.
The Know Nothing Party declined rapidly after the 1856 election. The 1857 Dred Scott v. Sandford decision further aroused opposition to slavery in the North, where many Know Nothings joined the Republicans.
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