The Untold Know Nothings

Think conspiracy theories and extremism are new? Think again. They’re as old as politics itself, and a long forgotten political party nicknamed the Know Nothings exploited them for political power. In the mid-19th century, political, religious, and environmental issues pushed many Europeans to seek a new start in the United States. A wave of Irish immigrants arriving in New York from 1845 to 1855 were met with suspicion and hatred by many already living there. Xenophobia, a fear and distrust of strangers and foreigners, was widespread and led to the creation of the first major third party in American politics. In 1849, some politically motivated Protestants in New York City formed a secret society, complete with passwords and hand signals. It was known as the Order of The Star-Spangled Banner, but the press labeled them the Know Nothings. They later officially organized as the American Party, but never shook their nickname because when asked about their order, members were required to reply: “I know nothing.” Members performed initiation rites and pledged their allegiance to the order. But most importantly, membership was exclusive to white Protestant men. The Know Nothings preached their anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic, and anti-women agenda, and soon their negative messaging had spread into American politics. Committed to what they believed were traditional American values, they used rumors and conspiracy theories to justify voter intimidation, violence, and the burning of Catholic churches. They became so popular that in the 1856 presidential election, the party got nearly 22% of the vote and won the state of Maryland, which was home to another infamous member of the Know Nothing party: John Wilkes Booth, who nine years later assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Members were divided over the issue of slavery, and the party finally dissolved in 1860, but their nativist beliefs have survived, fueled by each new wave of immigrants coming to the U.S. looking for a better life. Even today, immigration remains a hotly debated topic in the halls of Congress. How did the Know Nothing party reflect or contradict American values?

Channel: Untold History

Views: 92

Keywords: Immigration, Religious Discrimination, Nativist, American Politics, Democracy, The Whigs, Democrats, The Democratic Party, Demonstration, Protest, Violence, Prejudice, Ignorance, Persecution, Extremism, Patriarchy, Religion, Assassination, Abraham Lincoln, Patriotism, Conspiracy, New York City, John Hilling, Chinese Exclusion Act, John Willkes Booth, Millard Fillmore, Bill the butcher, William Poole, Republican, Democrat, Political Party, Secret, Know-Nothing, Nationalism, Xenophobia, USA

Id: GY1wNV1vGfM

Length: 2min 23sec (143 seconds)

Published: Tue Jun 20 2023