49 min
The Know-Nothing "Native American" Movement F*** Your Racist History
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- History
Since the days of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, American politics have been rife with conflict and division, and there has been a rotating cast of political machines taking and losing power. During the volatile political era of the 1840s and 1850s, a nativist group called the "Know-Nothings" briefly held power on the national stage, maintaining staunch anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic stances. Because most of their members were American descendants of Anglo-Saxon colonists, the Know-Nothings also called themselves the "Native American Party," but make no mistake: Indigenous peoples were not welcome in their ranks. This was a white man's movement aimed at improving the livelihood and futures of "native-born" white Americans. Even though the Know-Nothing party officially ended in 1860, their violent and hateful members were absorbed into other political parties, namely the newly formed Republicans.
Since the days of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, American politics have been rife with conflict and division, and there has been a rotating cast of political machines taking and losing power. During the volatile political era of the 1840s and 1850s, a nativist group called the "Know-Nothings" briefly held power on the national stage, maintaining staunch anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic stances. Because most of their members were American descendants of Anglo-Saxon colonists, the Know-Nothings also called themselves the "Native American Party," but make no mistake: Indigenous peoples were not welcome in their ranks. This was a white man's movement aimed at improving the livelihood and futures of "native-born" white Americans. Even though the Know-Nothing party officially ended in 1860, their violent and hateful members were absorbed into other political parties, namely the newly formed Republicans.
49 min