Know-Nothings
A party opposed to the holding of public office by immigrants or Roman Catholics. The Know-Nothings, also known as “nativists,” insisted that only true, “native” Americans should serve in the government. The party was quite successful in the 1850s but split over the slavery question. Its official name was the American party. It picked up the “Know-Nothing” tag because its members, maintaining secrecy about the party's activities, customarily answered questions with, “I know nothing.”
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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
How to use Know-Nothings in a sentence
Instead, the Know-Nothings were briefly a force to be reckoned with.
A Brief History of Wingnuts in America; From George Washington to Woodstock | John Avlon | August 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut what to do about the determination of Tea Party Know-Nothings and those who think just like them?
When you say around us, again, around us liberal arts Know-Nothings.
Hanging Out with Ian McEwan: Full Transcript | The Daily Beast Video | April 14, 2010 | THE DAILY BEASTBut there is a party lately come into the field, and called the Know-Nothings, which requires a special notice.
Lands of the Slave and the Free | Henry A. MurrayAs a part of the history of the times, it may be proper to give the rise and progress of the so-called order of "Know-Nothings."
Mysticism and its Results | John Delafield
The Know-Nothings arose and disappeared, without accomplishing anything.
Children of the Market Place | Edgar Lee MastersThe Americans or Know-Nothings everywhere put out in 1854 full tickets and showed at once surprising strength.
The Abolition Crusade and Its Consequences | Hilary Abner HerbertShe looks like she knew a awful lot, but she don't know nothings 'tall.
Little Aliens | Myra Kelly
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