Did Know Nothings Gain Power?

The Know Nothings gained power in the 1840s because of their anti-immigration and anti-Catholic political stances.

What did the Know-Nothing Party accomplish?

As a national political entity, it called for restrictions on immigration, the exclusion of the foreign-born from voting or holding public office in the United States, and for a 21-year residency requirement for citizenship. By 1852 the Know-Nothing party was achieving phenomenal growth.

How did the Know-Nothing Party End?

In most places, the ideology and influence of the Know Nothing movement lasted only a year or two before disintegrating due to weak and inexperienced local leaders, a lack of publicly declared national leaders, and a deep split over the issue of slavery.