The “Know-Nothings” Many people thought they were crazy and nonsensicalMany people thought they were crazy and nonsensical People generally didn’t like them because they focused on immigration when the more important issue was slaveryPeople generally didn’t like them because they focused on immigration when the more important issue was slavery

The American Party They called themselves the American party because they were for America and against immigrants and Catholics.They called themselves the American party because they were for America and against immigrants and Catholics. They believed that immigrants should go back to their homeland or face severe persecution.They believed that immigrants should go back to their homeland or face severe persecution.

Their Origin The Know-Nothings were originally a group of people who resented immigration.The Know-Nothings were originally a group of people who resented immigration. As smaller political parties who opposed immigration started to come forward, such as the Nativist party, the parties started to merge.As smaller political parties who opposed immigration started to come forward, such as the Nativist party, the parties started to merge. With their official name being established as The American Party in 1849, they were quickly coined as the Know Nothing Party.With their official name being established as The American Party in 1849, they were quickly coined as the Know Nothing Party.

The Party’s Only Presidential Candidate Millard Fillmore ran for president of the United States in 1856Millard Fillmore ran for president of the United States in 1856 Although he came in last in the election, he received nine thousand votes out of the four million votes casted.Although he came in last in the election, he received nine thousand votes out of the four million votes casted.

Their Views on Slavery The Know-Nothing Party refused to take a stand on slavery.The Know-Nothing Party refused to take a stand on slavery. As a result of the party's refusal to take a position on slavery, the Know-Nothing Party declined by the presidential election of 1860.As a result of the party's refusal to take a position on slavery, the Know-Nothing Party declined by the presidential election of Multiple Perspectives

Their Views On Religion They were strongly against CatholicismThey were strongly against Catholicism They feared that the Catholics would be more loyal to the Pope than to the United States GovernmentThey feared that the Catholics would be more loyal to the Pope than to the United States Government More extremist Know-Nothings believed that the Catholics would take over the United States and place it under the Pope’s ruleMore extremist Know-Nothings believed that the Catholics would take over the United States and place it under the Pope’s rule Trends

Controversial Riots The Know-Nothings started riots against immigrants during the 1830’s and the early 1840’sThe Know-Nothings started riots against immigrants during the 1830’s and the early 1840’s The more dangerous riots took place in the summer of 1844 in Philadelphia, in which the Know-Nothings fought with Irish immigrants and burned two Catholic churches and a Catholic schoolThe more dangerous riots took place in the summer of 1844 in Philadelphia, in which the Know-Nothings fought with Irish immigrants and burned two Catholic churches and a Catholic school Ethics

Others Fight Back Archbishop John Hughes defended the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New YorkArchbishop John Hughes defended the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York He called upon other Catholic Irish to help defend the church and stand up.He called upon other Catholic Irish to help defend the church and stand up. The Irish were rumored to be heavily armed, occupying the churchyard.The Irish were rumored to be heavily armed, occupying the churchyard. The group scared off anti-immigrant mobs.The group scared off anti-immigrant mobs. No churches in New York were burned.No churches in New York were burned.

President Lincoln’s Thoughts President Lincoln was appalled by the Know Nothing Party He said in a speech that he gave, that if a Know Nothing became President, they would have to amend the Declaration Of Independence to say that all men are created equal "except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.“ He also said that he would rather move to Russia than live in a Know Nothing America

The Big Secret The Know-Nothing party was largely kept a secret.The Know-Nothing party was largely kept a secret. Doctrines that the party made were hidden from non-members.Doctrines that the party made were hidden from non-members. When members were asked about they party, they would respond, “I know nothing”.When members were asked about they party, they would respond, “I know nothing”.

Their Success The Know-Nothings did well in the state of OhioThe Know-Nothings did well in the state of Ohio After forming an alliance with the Fusionists, they helped campaign for Salmon Chase in the Gubernatorial Election of 1855.After forming an alliance with the Fusionists, they helped campaign for Salmon Chase in the Gubernatorial Election of Their support helped him winTheir support helped him win

The End of the Know-Nothings The Know-Nothings continued to refuse to take a stand on slavery. But when they did, they sided with Pro-Slavery, which was a bad choice because most of their supporters were anti-slavery Northerners.The Know-Nothings continued to refuse to take a stand on slavery. But when they did, they sided with Pro-Slavery, which was a bad choice because most of their supporters were anti-slavery Northerners. With lack of support, they sharply declined by the 1860 Presidential Election, in which they didn’t run a candidate.With lack of support, they sharply declined by the 1860 Presidential Election, in which they didn’t run a candidate.

Works Cited “Know-Nothing Party” Know-Nothing Party Ohio History Central. January 15 th, p?rec=911 on/a/knownothing01.htmhttp://history1800s.about.com/od/immigrati on/a/knownothing01.htm