The Know-Nothings Party was formed in 1855. It was a discriminatory political party that was established in reaction to the 3 million immigrants that arrived in the US between 1845 and 1855. A large part of these immigrants were Irish and German Catholics, and their arrival in a mostly protestant and anti-Catholic country sparked a lot of tensions. The Know-Nothings' program revolved around delaying citizenship for the newcomers and prevent them from voting. The party won elections in states such as Massachusetts. The party was divided over the slavery question and eventually collapsed in 1860.
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