The Know-Nothing "Native American" Movement

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.