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The Supreme Order of the Star-Spangled Banner was an organization formed by many nativist groups in the spring of 1850. This Order endorsed a list of demands including banning of Catholics or the foreign-born from holding public office, more restrictive naturalization laws, and literacy tests for voting. At that time, more than half of the populations of New York and Chicago were immigrants. Many believed that the many Irish Catholic immigrants were being controlled by the Pope in Rome. The Order adopted a strict code of secrecy, which included a secret password, that was used in lodges across the country, "I know nothing." Ultimately members of the movement became known as the "Know-Nothings." Gradually, the Know-Nothings turned their attention to party politics, and after the election of 1852, they created a new political organization that they called the American Party.

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16y ago

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