Know-Nothing Party

a secret political association formed in the United States in 1852. It grew out of an earlier organization dating from 1844. Its main purpose was to check immigration and prevent the naturalization of foreigners and their participation in American politics. The popular name was applied to the party because its members, when questioned, were instructed to reply, "I don't know." The platform included such catch phrases as "Americans shall rule America," "No North, no South, no East, no West," "Free schools," "No sectarian influence in school or state." The immediate occasion for the formation of the association was the multiplication of the Irish vote in New York City. The opposition to the Irish was largely anti-Catholic in nature. The tide of emigration to this country rose so high about this period that Know-Nothingism became identified with Americanism. The organization became a national political party in 1852. In 1854 it carried the state elections in Delaware and Massachusetts and nearly carried New York. In 1855 the legislatures and governors of five states were elected on a Know-Nothing platform. In 1857 the party had fourteen representatives and five senators in Congress. The Know-Nothings were one of the elements that were merged in the formation of the Republican party. See American Party