h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In 1845 a secret political party was formed in New York City with the primary goal of limiting, or at least to discourage, immigrants from entering the country. Among themselves they adopted the name of 'The Star Spangled Banner Party'. As a secret society members were instructed to tell any outsiders who asked, that they 'knew nothing'.

The society quickly grew and established lodges in most large American cities. In the east the major concern was Irish-Catholic immigrants, while in the mid-west they were more concerned with Germans. Party memberships were limited to Protestants who had been born on American soil.
By the mid 1850's the party was prepared to offer their candidates for state and federal elections. They openly declared themselves as the 'American Party' and openly opposed the Democrats, their major opposition. It was the Presidential of 1856 that split the party along the Mason Dixon Line A87791926, those in the south supported Millard Fillmore, while those in the north preferred the Republican candidate John Fremont.

Although the election went to James Buchanan, the seeds had been sown and the former 'Know Nothings' played a major role in the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

F S

[Amy P]

Think we're heading that way again across the pond!

*sigh* People are odd. Interesting though!

These posts are meant only as a historical look at the thoughts of a bygone era and are not intended to be an endorsement of the views, or outcome of any event reported.

F . S