Know Nothing

[[File:Citizen Know Nothing.jpg|thumb||right|165px|Now-forgotten, Citizen Know Nothing was an icon of the party.]]{{uspolitics}}
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The '''Know Nothing''' movement was an [[American]] [[Nationalism|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 [[xenophobia|xenophobic]] [[wingnut]]s of yesteryear — or (in anachronistic terms), essentially the pre-[[American Civil War|civil war]] incarnation of the [[Tea Party]]<ref name="Tea">[http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2010-09-07-column07_ST1_N.htm Tea Party today's Know Nothing movement], ''USA Today''</ref> and MAGA.

==History of the movement==
===Origin of the name===
The party went under various banners, originating in [[New York]] as the American Republican Party in 1843 and went by the name [[Irony meter|Native American]] Party in several states, shorting out [[irony meter]]s 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 society|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 [[ignorance|attitudes toward immigrants and people of different faiths]].

===Opposing things===
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-Catholicism|anti-Catholic]] sentiment. This involved numerous [[conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]] about [[Catholics]] being part of a massive [[hive mind]] controlled by the [[Pope]]. [[International Jewish Conspiracy|Sound]] [[Eurabia|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-[[Protestant]]s from holding political office.

===Decline===
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-[[Prohibition|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 [[American Civil War|Civil War]] rolled around.

===Legacy===
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.<ref name="Tea"/> 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==
Originally copied from a hand-written note, the Know Nothing platform of 1856 read as follows:<ref>[http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Know-Nothing_Platform_1856 Wikisource], copied from an [http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/americavotes/know-nothing-letter.jpeg original hand-written document]</ref>
{{quotebox|
#Repeal of all Naturalization Laws.
#None but Americans for office.
#A pure American Common School system.
#War to the hilt, on political Romanism.
#Opposition to the formation of Military Companies, composed of Foreigners.
#The advocacy of a sound, healthy, and safe Nationality.
#Hostility to all Papal influences, when brought to bear against the Republic.
#American Constitutions & American sentiments.
#More stringent & effective Emigration Laws.
#The amplest protection to Protestant Interests.
#The doctrines of revered Washington.
#The sending back of all foreign paupers.
#Formation of societies to protect American interests.
#Eternal enmity to all those who attempt to carry out the principles of a foreign Church or State.
#Our Country, our whole Country, and nothing but our Country.
#Finally, American Laws, and American Legislation, and Death to all foreign influences, whether in high places or low.}}

==See also==
*[[Islamophobia]]
*[[Nationalism]]
*[[Secure the border]]
*[[WASP]] (the Know Nothing ideal of a [[No True Scotsman|real]] 'murican)
*[[Donald Trump]] - Ironically a descendant of the German and Irish immigrants that the party opposed.

==External links==
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08677a.htm Knownothingism], New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia
*[http://www.ashfieldhistorical.org/nothing.htm Know Nothing], Ashfield Historical Society
*[http://historyengine.richmond.edu/episodes/view/58 The Know-Nothing Riot in Baltimore], History Engine

==References==
*Tyler Anbinder. ''[http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=52767975 Nativism and Slavery: The Northern Know Nothings and the Politics of the 1850s.]'' New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{USPoliticalParty}}

[[Category:Anti-Catholicism]]
[[Category:Discrimination]]
[[Category:Far-right political parties]]
[[Category:Immigration]]
[[Category:Isolationism]]
[[Category:Racism]]
[[Category:New York]]
[[Category:Political terms]]
[[Category:United States history]]
[[Category:United States political parties]]
[[Category:Anti-immigration]]
[[Category:Xenophobia]]

Categories: Anti-Catholicism, Discrimination, Far-right political parties, Immigration, Isolationism, Racism, New York, Political terms, United States history, United States political parties, Anti-immigration, Xenophobia