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Political Parties
Know-Nothing Party

Nativism, anti-immigration, anti-Catholic · Founded 1844

Know-Nothing Party

Know-Nothing PartyDefunct

Last verified: May 2026

Key Facts

Founded: 1844
Status: Defunct
Ideology: Nativism, anti-immigration, anti-Catholic

Platform & Key Positions

Restrict immigration
Require 21-year residency for citizenship

History

Officially the "American Party." Rose rapidly in the 1850s, collapsed over slavery.

Other Parties

Federalist Party

Founded 1789Federalist

Democratic-Republican Party

Founded 1792Democratic-Republican

Democratic Party

Founded 1828Democratic

Whig Party

Founded 1834Whig

Republican Party

Founded 1854Republican

Progressive (Bull Moose) Party

Founded 1912Progressive (Bull Moose) Party

Know-Nothing Party