Immigration has been a proceeding occurrence in the United States since the 18th century. During the 18th, 19th, and 20th century, a law was allocated (Immigration Act of 1780) said any (free) white person under the jurisdiction of the United States for two years was allowed to become a citizen; after a year or so, they had to prove to the Courts that they were a good person (Gallagher). In the early 1840’s, there were anti-immigration riots. Philadelphia had one of the bloodiest riots of the pre-civil war era, where anti-immigration mobs were attacking the Irish-American homes and Catholic churches before being restrained from the military (Gallagher). The late 19th century started this “New Nativism” that was against incoming immigrants
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The members of this party were heartily against immigrants and followers of the Catholic Church. Most of the white Americans were Protestant. The party was afraid that the Catholics would be more loyal to the Pope than to the United States (Know-Nothing Party). More members thought that the Catholics would want to take over the United States and force it to follow the Pope’s ruling. Most of the “Know-Nothings” were families of the middle to working class backgrounds. They feared that their jobs would be taken away from the immigrants that were coming in. The “Know-Nothings” received its name because it was a secret group, so no one would tell the groups principles to anyone that wasn’t apart of the party. “Know-Nothings were to respond to questions about their beliefs with, ‘I know nothing’” (Know-Nothing Party). The popularity of this party grew rapidly in the North, which is where most of the immigrants lived. In 1856, the “Know-Nothing” elected Millard Fillmore as a candidate for Presidency; even though he finished last he received 900,000 of the four million votes that were casted (Know-Nothing Party). Though the party was against Catholics and live din fear of the immigrants, the most important issue to them was slavery. The party refused to take a stand on slavery, which resulted in them losing the Presidency in 1860. After that, many of the group members joined the Republican
The members of this party were heartily against immigrants and followers of the Catholic Church. Most of the white Americans were Protestant. The party was afraid that the Catholics would be more loyal to the Pope than to the United States (Know-Nothing Party). More members thought that the Catholics would want to take over the United States and force it to follow the Pope’s ruling. Most of the “Know-Nothings” were families of the middle to working class backgrounds. They feared that their jobs would be taken away from the immigrants that were coming in. The “Know-Nothings” received its name because it was a secret group, so no one would tell the groups principles to anyone that wasn’t apart of the party. “Know-Nothings were to respond to questions about their beliefs with, ‘I know nothing’” (Know-Nothing Party). The popularity of this party grew rapidly in the North, which is where most of the immigrants lived. In 1856, the “Know-Nothing” elected Millard Fillmore as a candidate for Presidency; even though he finished last he received 900,000 of the four million votes that were casted (Know-Nothing Party). Though the party was against Catholics and live din fear of the immigrants, the most important issue to them was slavery. The party refused to take a stand on slavery, which resulted in them losing the Presidency in 1860. After that, many of the group members joined the Republican