The Know-Nothing Party

The Know-Nothing Party emerged in 1854 out of a group called the Order of the Star-Spangled Banner.  Its official name was the American Party.  It wanted to exclude Roman Catholics and foreigners from public office, and make foreigners wait 21 years (instead of 5) to become naturalized citizens.

As well as capturing the political establishment in Massachusetts , the Know-Nothings had strong support in Pennsylvania , Delaware , New Hampshire , Connecticut and New York for its call to limit immigration and foreign influences in the county. 

It broke apart over the issue of slavery.  In Massachusetts , the Know-Nothings were strongly opposed to slavery, but in the South they supported it.  By the late 1850s Northern Know-Nothings helped form the Republican Party, which became the party of Abraham Lincoln.