Know Nothing

Now-forgotten, Citizen Know Nothing was an icon of the party.

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The Know Nothing movement was an American nativist movement of the mid-1850s. First known as "Native American Party", it spawned the American Party, which became commonly known as the "Know Nothing Party." They were essentially the party for the xenophobic wingnuts of yesteryear — or (in anachronistic terms), essentially the pre-civil war incarnation of the Tea Party^[1] and MAGA.

History of the movement[edit]

Origin of the name[edit]

The party went under various banners, originating in New York as the American Republican Party in 1843 and went by the name Native American Party in several states, shorting out irony meters everywhere. When the various parties conglomerated into a national party in 1855, they went by the name of the American Party. The term "Know Nothing" came from the fact that the parties were organized as secret societies and members were told, if asked about their involvement, to reply, "I know nothing!". "I know nothing but my country" was another slogan attributed to the movement. It's also a fitting name, considering their attitudes toward immigrants and people of different faiths.

Opposing things[edit]

The movement grew out of opposition to increasing German and Irish immigration. As these immigrant groups happened to be largely Roman Catholic, the Know Nothings were known for their virulently anti-Catholic sentiment. This involved numerous conspiracy theories about Catholics being part of a massive hive mind controlled by the Pope. Sound familiar? They believed local bishops to be secretly leading a Catholic insurrection to put the US under papal authority. Due to their persecution complex, they sought to ban non-Protestants from holding political office.

Decline[edit]

The party failed to gain any traction over an extended period. It found success in state legislatures, including a brief takeover of the Massachusetts legislature, and ran Millard Fillmore as its candidate in 1856, who failed in his re-election bid. The party gained populist support due to its anti-immigration stance, pro-temperance stance, as well as some reforms it supported, such as railroad safety regulations. However, it fizzled out much like the Whigs due to the split over the issue of slavery. It disappeared from the American political landscape when the Civil War rolled around.

Legacy[edit]

The Know Nothing party's politicized anti-Catholic sentiment can still be found among some fundamentalist wingnuts today. For example, the Catholic Church is often depicted as a tool of Satan in the works of Jack Chick, who was a pretty big tool himself. Enduring anti-Catholic sentiment presented a significant challenge for many Catholic political candidates, notably helping to derail the then-Governor of New York Al Smith's presidential run in 1928 against Herbert Hoover. John F. Kennedy faced a great deal of anti-Catholic opposition during his campaign and presidency.

The term "Know Nothing" or "Know-nothingism" is still used in political commentary today as a synonym for nativist or anti-immigrant sentiments. The Tea Party movement has been described as a modern incarnation of the Know Nothings by analysts and commentators.^[1] They are also known today as one of the many examples of political organizations that totally ruined an opportunity for a great band name.

Platform of 1856[edit]

Originally copied from a hand-written note, the Know Nothing platform of 1856 read as follows:^[2]

1. Repeal of all Naturalization Laws.
2. None but Americans for office.
3. A pure American Common School system.
4. War to the hilt, on political Romanism.
5. Opposition to the formation of Military Companies, composed of Foreigners.
6. The advocacy of a sound, healthy, and safe Nationality.
7. Hostility to all Papal influences, when brought to bear against the Republic.
8. American Constitutions & American sentiments.
9. More stringent & effective Emigration Laws.
10. The amplest protection to Protestant Interests.
11. The doctrines of revered Washington.
12. The sending back of all foreign paupers.
13. Formation of societies to protect American interests.
14. Eternal enmity to all those who attempt to carry out the principles of a foreign Church or State.
15. Our Country, our whole Country, and nothing but our Country.
16. Finally, American Laws, and American Legislation, and Death to all foreign influences, whether in high places or low.

See also[edit]

• Islamophobia
• Nationalism
• Secure the border
• WASP (the Know Nothing ideal of a real 'murican)
• Donald Trump

External links[edit]

• Knownothingism, New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia
• Know Nothing, Ashfield Historical Society
• The Know-Nothing Riot in Baltimore, History Engine

References[edit]

• Tyler Anbinder. Nativism and Slavery: The Northern Know Nothings and the Politics of the 1850s. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.

References[edit]