It began in 1830. Roman Catholics facing difficulties at home due to their religious faith were immigrating to America in large numbers. Nativist alarmists began to spread conspiracy theories that the Roman Catholic church was out to destroy the American way of life.
The Native American Political Party was formed to support anti-immigration policies. The party was especially popular with lower to middle-class voters. When they were asked for specifics about their party affiliation, the adherents were instructed to say: “I know nothing.” Thus, they became known as the Know Nothing party.
The Know Nothing party, realizing that they had to appeal to a broader cross-section of the American public, adopted other popular views. Many of these were designed to appeal to the working class. The Know Nothings spread fear and resentment using conspiracy theories.
In the middle of the 19th Century, the Know Nothings began to succeed at the state and local level elections. In San Francisco, the Know Nothings were able to enforce a rule that no Chinese person could testify against a white person in court. In Chicago, immigrants were barred from city jobs. Know Nothings gained power in northern states which had seen the greatest influx of immigrants.
Fearing that they could not win fair elections, the Know Nothings resorted to violence and vote tampering. For all of its fury, the Know Nothings began to splinter. In the South, there was an issue with the abolitionist beliefs of the north wing of the party. There was a difference of opinion over suffrage and other progressive views of some of the Know Nothings. As a result, the Know Nothing party dissolved in 1860.
Just imagine what it might take to recreate a Know Nothing party today. Could immigration become a call to force a new political alliance with those who want to preserve America’s past? Just imagine what type of person might lead such a party. And how might technology be used to stoke fear and grievances in the electorate? Would this new party become a threat to democracy as we know it? Or might it dissolve into splinter groups each with its own agenda? Just imagine what it would take to reject a Know Nothing party today and sustain a democracy where all are welcome.
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“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” –