American Protective Association
they wanted to keep immigrants out of the country and keep the country for them selves and keep the country full of white native born protestants.
The American Protective Association (APA) was a nativist and anti-Catholic organization founded in the late 19th century, specifically in 1887. It aimed to promote American nationalism and protect the interests of native-born Americans, particularly against immigration, especially from Catholic countries. The APA sought to influence politics by pushing for restrictive immigration laws and advocating for the exclusion of Catholics from public office. Its influence waned by the early 20th century, but it played a significant role in shaping anti-immigrant sentiment during its peak.
The Know-nothings aka the American Party, was anti-Catholic and nativist.
A person who is in favor of greatly restricting Immigration because it takes jobs away from American citizens is called a Nativist.
Samuel F.B. Morse wrote a commentary warning "his fellow countrymen" of "the foreign Catholic menace" plotting to take control.
Someone who favors the original population over immigrants.
Restrictions were placed on immigration (apex)
Restrictions were placed on Immigration (apex)
A nativist would define a "real" American as a native-born, white citizen from America.
Nativist groups primarily supported policies that favored native-born citizens over immigrants, advocating for stricter immigration laws and regulations. They often promoted the idea that immigrants threatened American culture, jobs, and social stability. Nativists sought to preserve what they viewed as traditional American values, often targeting specific ethnic or religious groups as undesirable. Their movements were characterized by a strong sense of nationalism and a distrust of foreign influences.
The nativist movement of the 1840s, which led to the formation of the Know-Nothing Party in the 1850s, primarily supported anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiments. The movement was fueled by a growing fear among native-born Americans that immigrants, particularly Irish Catholics, would undermine American values and institutions. The Know-Nothing Party sought to restrict immigration and promote the interests of American-born citizens, often advocating for policies that would limit the rights of immigrants and increase the power of native-born Protestants.