Know Nothings

From dKosopedia

Category: Political parties

Also known as the American Party. Its members originally met as part of a secret society, called the Order of the Star-Spangled Banner; therefore, when asked any questions about their party, they would reply, "I Know Nothing."

Their society was founded in response to immigration and Catholicism, which were both intertwined at the time. They were in opposition to these forces. They were founded in the 1850s. By 1852, they had several local officials, as well as 43 members of Congress.

However, their divisions on the issue of slavery doomed them, as Millard Fillmore, their candidate, was only able to pick up Maryland.